JCC the Place to Be The Jewish Community Center of LBI 

E-Letter





November 18, 2016
17 Cheshvan 5777
ISRAEL TRIP
Join us as we travel to Israel
Join us as we travel to Israel

Explore Israel with the Montebello Jewish Center and the Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island
Led by Rabbi Richard Hammerman and Rabbi Michael S. Jay
February 8 -17, 2017

To see details and the itinerary, see this link TRIP

Please contact Rabbi Jay if you are considering this trip.
973 865 9534
Contents
Israel Trip
A Message from the Rabbi
Kol Hakavod
Upcoming Activities
Help
Giving Opportunities
Bulletin Ads
This Week's Events
Shabbat Information
Yahrzeits
Congregation News
Mi Shaberach List
Onegs & Kiddishes
Men's Club Bowling Event
Sisterhood Stuff
Acme Stamps
TD Affinity Program
Text Blast Sign Up
Name Badges
Documents & Links
A TORAH MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
 
 
The narrative of this week's Torah portion, Va-Yera, runs the gamut of humanity's, and God's, emotional experiences. We learn from it that life is not static.  Permit me to provide a short synopsis of this portion's highs and lows.
 
God appears to Abraham in the form of three angels who visit him as he is recuperating from his circumcision.  The circumcision might be bad, but the visit it s good.  Abraham plays the role of a great host by providing hospitality to the strangers despite the fact that he has not yet fully healed. This is good.
 
Abraham is given the joyous, if somewhat unbelievable, news that despite their advanced age, within a year, he and Sarah will have a child.  This is good.  Sarah laughs a sarcastic laugh, which is bad.
 
Abraham is then given the horrific news that Sodom and Gomorrah will be destroyed.  This is bad.  Abraham argues for God to rescind the edict, which is good.  But his attempt fails because the inhabitants of the city cannot even meet the lowest standard of morality and kindness.  This is bad.
 
Angels enter Sodom and are shown generous hospitality by Lot, which is good.  However, all of the other inhabitants of the city seek to rape and do harm to the Angels, which is bad.  Lot seeks to protect the angels from the mob, which is good. But he does so by offering his unmarried daughters for the pleasure of the unruly mob, which is bad.
 
The cities are destroyed, which is bad. But Lot and his family are saved, which is good.  However, Lots wife looks back at the burning cities and turns into a pillar of salt.  This is bad.
 
Lot and his daughters are saved, which is good.  But the daughters, thinking the world has ended, get their father drunk in order to have relations with him and then are impregnated by him.  This is bad.
 
Abraham is treated well by Abimelech, which is good. But he offers Sarah to Abimelech saying that she is his sister, which is bad.  God threatens to harm Abimelech, which is bad. But Abimelech never touched Sarah and avoids God's wrath, which is good.
 
Sarah gets pregnant and gives birth to Isaac, which is good. But Sarah sees Ishmael mistreating Isaac and demands that Abraham ban Ishmael and Hagar to the desert, which is bad.  Abraham bans them, which is bad. But God takes note and makes a nation out of Ishmael, which, in theory, is good.
 
Abimelech's servants seized Abraham's well, which is bad. But Abimelech and Abraham make a pact that acknowledges that the well is Abraham's. This is good.
 
God tells Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, which is bad. Abraham agrees to sacrifice Isaac which, depending on how you interpret it, may be good or bad.  God does not allow the sacrifice to take place, which is good.  Abraham leaves the sight of the attempted sacrifice without Isaac.  This is bad.
 
Why have I gone through this exercise?  Whether you read Torah as metaphor or as an accurate report of historical events, it has the goal of teaching lessons.  Life is not static.  Our lives are not static.  There are highs and lows.  There is good and bad.  There is joy and sorrow.  Sometimes we need to pull back and recognize this.
 
On some level one might call this unavoidable reality: "Living a life".  However, there may be a slightly different way to view it.  It comes in the Text itself.  When God tells Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, the Text tells us that God is "testing" Abraham. 
 
Perhaps everything, the good and the bad, is a test. Maybe it is our reaction to the stimuli around us that makes a difference.  Do we gloat when good happens?  Do we mope when bad happens?  When good happens do we positively share our bounty?  When bad happens do we blame and turn violent?
 
Whether it is to the good or the bad, our reactions are recorded; God, and/or the world around us notice them.  Respond with humility, kindness, love, dignity, and compassion. 
 
Shabbat Shalom - Rabbi Michael S. Jay
 
 
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

 

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

MOVIE NITE AT THE JCC Movie Night

Saturday, November 19 at 7:00 PM - When Harry Met Sally (1989) starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan
 
Admission is free and all are welcome.  


 
MEN'S CLUB BOWLING

December 18
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Thunderbird Lanes
640 E. Bay Ave.
Manahawkin, NJ  08050   

Cost per person $15.00 (which includes 2 games, bowling shoes, latkes and snacks)
 

CHANUKAH SHABBAT DINNER

Friday night, December 23rd at 6:30 PM Latkes


$25 for adults
$15 for children under 18
Contact the JCC Office if you are going to join us.
Services to follow.



WE CAN USE YOUR HELP

We can use a group of folks to help us with upcoming mailings:
  • Wednesday, November 30th at 10:30 AM 
  • Wednesday, December 21st at 10:30 AM 
Call the office if you can help 609-492-4090 

 


Each year, the JCC visits patients at SOMC on Christmas Day to being cheer and poinsettias to the patients.  We will meet in the lobby of SOMC at 10:00 AM. Call the Office at 609-492-4090 for an hour of doing mitzvot.

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

HIGH HOLIDAY APPEAL
Your gift to the 5777 High Holiday Appeal is vital to the operation of the JCC of LBI.  We depend on your generous support. 

You should have received an Appeal letter a few weeks ago. Please take a few minutes to reflect on how your contribution can make a difference and return your card and appeal donation in the envelope provided.  If you can't find the card, that's okay - you can send your appeal contribution to the office (2411 Long Beach Blvd., Spray Beach, NJ 08008) noting that it is for the High Holiday Appeal Campaign.


MORRIS L. SHAPIRO ENDOWMENT FUND
All organizations should have a substantial endowment fund to ensure 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. 

  YAHRZEIT PLAQUES
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 
Here is the Paver Form: 

ADS FOR JCC BULLETIN

Please contact the JCC Office (609-492-4090) if you would like to place an ad in the Bulletin
 
 
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

web site: www.jccoflbi.org  
  
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.

Leslie, Marcie and Jeri

 
CONTACT INFORMATION:
  
Rabbi Michael S. Jay

Rose Valentine, JCC President
rvalen1963@aol.com




  VIEW THE DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 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 click on this link  FACEBOOK
or cut and paste:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jewish-Community-Center-of-Long-Beach-Island/345647489300?ref=br_tf

Join Our Mailing List
THIS WEEK'S EVENTS
11/17- 11/24

Saturday
Havdallah 6:45 PM
Movie Nite: 7:00 PM
featuring "When Harry Met Sally"

SHABBAT SHALOM


Shabbat

Candle Lighting Time
Friday
November 18, 2016
4:20 PM
(So. Ocean County NJ)


JOIN US FOR SERVICES

Friday, November 18, 2016
8:00 PM

Rabbi's Sermon
Why Does the Argument between G-d and Abraham Work?

Saturday, November 19, 2016
 
Torah Study 
9:00 AM
Services
10:00 AM

Torah Reading
  
Vayera
(Genesis 18:1 - 22:24) 
Here is the portion:
PARSHAH

Haftorah 
II Kings 4:1 - 4:37
Here is the
UPCOMING SPECIAL SHABBATOT
December 2: 
Anniversary & Birthday Recognition

December 23
Chanukah Dinner and Service

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 November 18, 2016

Steven Baron
Benjamin Cohen
Beatrice Plotkin Fruchtman*
Mae Goldberg*
Abe Josephson*
Harris Weiner
Isidor Weisel
Vivian Chairnoff
Joseph Meshulam
Ada G. Bass*
Bertrand Berman
Joseph Levin
Bess Silver
Laura Ziegeler
George Medvin
Gilbert Tebeleff
Martin Samwick
Alex Hirsch
Gladys Krechovitz
David Plotkin
Joseph Sherman
Max Silver
Manuel Smith*
Rhea Britz*
Abraham Lazar
Evelyn B. Sholin
Jerome Szanger
 
 

* Yahrzeit Plaque - These names are lovingly enshrined on our synagogue memorial boards.
CONGREGATION
NEWS

Mazel Tov
JUDITH & DON PRIPSTEIN
on the marriage of their grandson
Justin Thomas to Carolyn Sallen
 


SHARE YOUR NEWS
 
     
  
Caring 
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, Joy Kern, if you are in need of assistance or if you know of a JCC member that needs our help. 
609- 978-3669 
 
   
MI SHABERACH LIST

 
The Mi Shaberach (prayer for the sick) list of names will be purged on Dec 31 and names for new list should be called or sent to Office.

KIDDISHES 

on Saturday morning

Contact Lynn Berkowitz 
or Rose Valentine
for information about 
sponsoring a Kiddish
609-709-3160
973-632-0913

SEE NEW DONATION & MENU

Sponsorship includes:

*Printed acknowledgement on the food table, in
the Shabbat Reminder email and in the Shabbat program
*Verbal, public acknowledgement from the bimah during services.
 

MEN'S CLUB OPENING ACTIVITY
Bowling
Men's Club Bowling Event
December 18, 2016
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm


Thunderbird Lanes
640 E. Bay Ave.
Manahawkin, NJ  08050   

Cost per person $15.00   (which includes 2 games, bowling shoes, latkes and snacks)
 
Bring your wife, children and grandchildren to our kickoff event. Please RSVP to the JCC Office (609-492-4090) as soon as possible but no later than December 12th. Limited alleys are available.

The Men's Club is looking to borrow a microwave that day to heat the latkes. Call
Ira Morganthal if you can help. 908 705 2576
 
LET'S ALL GET BEHIND OUR NEW MEN'S CLUB TO MAKE THEIR FIRST EVENT A SUCCESS!
SISTERHOOD STUFF

ONEG SHABBATS

Sisterhood is responsible for the Oneg Shabbats each Friday night.  We could use your help in organizing each week.  This is a special call to those who are in the area off season. Pick a week that you can help and let Jody Brusilow (jrb53056@icloud.com) know so you can be placed on the schedule.  

SHOE BOX RECYCLING
We are again collecting gently worn, paired men's, women's and kids shoes that are still reusable and re-wearable (no ski boots, ice skates, roller blades, flip flops, crocs or bedroom slippers). Please bring them to the JCC during office hours.

"Let's clean up our closets and the environment by recycling our shoes."


ACME STAMPS

If you are on the Island and shop at Acme, but are not collecting the Farberware Saver Stamps, please collect them for the Mah-jongg Tournament. Drop them off at the JCC office and put in Karen Schwing's mailbox. We will use them to buy pots and pans for the gift table at the Mah-Jongg Tournament. Thanks for your help!

Karen Schwing and Stacey Vreeland, Mah-Jongg Tournament Co-Chairs

TD AFFINITY PROGRAM

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.
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 (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. 

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:  BADGES

DOCUMENTS AND LINKS

 

JUST CLICK AND YOU'RE THERE!!!

 

LATEST 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