JCC the Place to Be The Jewish Community Center of LBI 

E-Letter





December 16, 2016
16 Kislev 5777
CHANUKAH SHABBAT DINNER

Latkes Friday night 
December 23rd at 6:30 PM


$25 for adults
$15 for children under 18
Contact the JCC Office if you are going to join us. 609-492-4090



MENU 
Matzah Ball Soup
Brisket
Potato Pancakes/Apple Sauce
Sesame String Beans
Garden Salad

Desert following Special Chanukah Service

We'll be playing dreydel (yes it is okay to play dreydel on Shabbat) and singing Chanukah songs.

Contents
Chanukah Shabbat
A Message from the Rabbi
Kol Hakavod
The Week That Was....
Chanukah
Men's Club Bowling Event
Help Needed
Upcoming Activities
Community Activities
Name Badges
Text Blast Sign Up
Bulletin Ads
This Week's Events
Shabbat Information
Yahrzeits
Mi Shaberach List
Congregation News
Onegs & Kiddishes
2017 Dues
Sisterhood Stuff
Acme Stamps
Giving Opportunities
TD Affinity Program
Documents & Links
A TORAH MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
 
It's that time of year again.  We will light our Menorahs and recall the various miracles that God performed for our ancestors as they overcame the Greek army and rededicated the Temple.  I love this time of year.  I love the Menorah. I love the story. I love the songs. I love the latkes. Too often, I love the latkes in excessive amounts. 
 
Having acknowledged my immense adoration of the tradition, something dawned on me this year as I have been considering the celebration of Hanukkah. I am a bit nervous to report that I have an issue with the whole idea of the miracle(s). Before you shout out "Blasphemy!, hear me out.
 
My problem is borne of the fact that, more often than not, a miracle is required because something bad has happened or is happening.  Look at the Hanukkah story.  Israel is overrun by the Syrian Greeks and the Israelites are forced to convert.  The Temple is defiled, and needs to be purified.  The military and oil miracles only become necessary because of the sad state of affairs experienced by our ancestors.
 
Indeed, review the many miracles of our tradition and you will note that misery, or something resembling it, preceded each wondrous event.   Redemption from Egypt occurs after centuries of slavery.  Manna in the desert follows hunger experienced by the Israelites.  
 
It seems that the flip side of the occurrence of a miracle is the fact that miracle was needed in the first place. 
 
While I recognize the importance of acknowledging the miracles that happen, and love celebrating them, I have a new thought.  Perhaps we should be praying for a time when miracles are no longer needed. With that in mind, here is my prayer for this holiday season:
 
Dear God, Who spoke and created the world, may the time soon come when the world will be such that miracles will not be needed.  A time when the way it is, is as it should be; a time of peace, a time of love, a time free of conflict. Amen.
 
We are each a light. Shine as bright as you can.
 
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

 

THE WEEK THAT WAS....

A ceremony to light holiday trees and the JCC menorah was held last Thursday at the Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin.  The menorah was donated to the Center by Lynn Berkowitz in memory of her husband Harry, who was a pharmacist at the hospital.

It was wonderful to be a part of this annual community holiday gathering and to hear wishes from our neighbors for a Happy Chanukah and to wish others a Merry Christmas. The JCC "choir" along with our Religious School kids sang Chanukah songs and Rabbi Jay gave greetings from our congregation.

So many of our congregants were there to enjoy the gathering, which was followed by refreshments including latkes.  
 
CHANUKAH COUNTDOWN

SISTERHOOD GIFT SHOP CHANUKAH SALE
NOW 25% OFF SHOWCASE ITEMS
Visit the JCC Gift Shop during office hours to purchase your special Chanukah gifts


CHANUKAH RECIPE

Apple Latkes

 Ingredients
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt plus 1/3 cup low-fat milk, or 2/3 cup natural plain yogurt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons superfine sugar
  • 2 apples (1/2 pound), to make
  • 1 cup grated apples Vegetable oil, for frying
  • Maple syrup (or confectioners' sugar and ground cinnamon), for serving

Directions
  • Beat the egg with the yogurt and milk (or just the yogurt, if you're using the plain normal variety) and set aside. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and sugar in a bowl. Peel, quarter and core the apples, then grate them; I use a food processor, but a coarse Microplane or other grater would work easily, I'd imagine.
  • Pour the yogurt mixture into the flour bowl, tip in the grated apples and fold it together.
  • Pour enough oil to come about 1/4 inch up in a skillet and put on the stove to heat. Dollop spoonfuls -- I use a round soup spoon -- of the apple batter into the sizzling oil; a rubber spatula (the one you used to fold the batter together) will help you scrape the batter off the spoon and press down on the little latkes in the pan. Don't worry about making perfect round pancakes; I like these a bit raggedy and skew-whiff. Fry for a minute or two, until the latkes are a golden brown on the undersides; you can see from the top as they start firming up underneath. Flip them with 2 metal spatulas and fry for another minute on the uncooked side.
  • Remove to a tray lined with paper towels to blot the excess oil and continue cooking until you've used up all the batter. Top with maple syrup.
  • Photograph by Andrew Mccaul
Recipe courtesy of Nigella Lawson for Food Network Magazine


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.

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!
WE CAN USE YOUR HELP

We can use a group of folks to help us with upcoming mailings:


  • 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.

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES




MOVIE SCHEDULE FOR THE WINTER

Saturday Nites 7:00 PM
Havdallah 6:45 PM

January 7 "Fiddler on the Roof"
January 21 "Schindler's List"
February 4 "Blazing Saddles"
February 18 "Yentl"
March 4 "Crossing Delancey Street"
March 18 "West Side Story"
April 1 "The Producers"
April 15 "Sound of Music"
April 29 "Young Frankenstein"


COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

JCC Members Helen Gross and Joanne Ramer are putting together a Chanukah Party at the Holiday Inn on Rt. 72 in Manahawkin on Tuesday Dec.27th at 3:30 pm..There will be wine and latkes.The price is under $25.00  per person...Please call Helen asap....609 607 0005 .
 
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

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
 
 
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




  VIEW THE DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY BULLETIN
with this link

 

E-mail Editor: Rose Valentine rvalen
[email protected]



"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
12/16 - 12/23

Sunday
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Men's Club Bowling Event
Thunderbird Lanes, Manahawkin

Friday 12/23
6:30 PM
Chanukah Dinner


SHABBAT SHALOM

Shabbat

Candle Lighting Time
Friday
December 16, 2016
4:16 PM
(So. Ocean County NJ)

JOIN US FOR SERVICES

Friday, December 16, 2016
8:00 PM

Rabbi's Sermon:
Hanukkah Primer

Saturday, December 17, 2016
Torah Study
9:00 AM 
Services
10:00 AM

Torah Reading
  
Vayishlach
(Genesis 32:4 - 36:43) 
Here is the portion:

Haftorah 
Obadiah 1:1 - 1:21
Here is the

Torah Readers:
Rabbi Jay
Ira Morgenthal


UPCOMING SPECIAL SHABBAT
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 December 16, 2016

Abraham Weissler
Pauline Kolsby*
Abe Morgenthal*
Lillian W. Pacharz*
Bertha Simandl
Albert Haas
Israel J. Cramer
Esther Gold Entin
Rachel List*
Charles Farin
Houshang Golsaz
Henrietta Schocat
Robert Eisner
Benjamin Serepca*



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

CONGREGATION
NEWS

 CONDOLENCES
to

Harriet Sklar & Family
on the passing of her husband
and dear JCC of LBI member
Murray Sklar

Read his obituary here MURRAY

"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."  
 


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 
 
   
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.
 

2017 DUES

Please look for the letter requesting Membership dues for 2017 at the end of this month.
 
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 ([email protected]know so you can be placed on the schedule.  

SHOE BOX RECYCLING

We are 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

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

STOCK DONATIONS
T here is still time to make a Stock Donation to the JCC of LBI in 2016. Two ways to save on your taxes- If you donate a stock that has appreciated, you don't pay a capital gains tax on the increase in value, and of course you claim the donation as a charitable contribution. In this manner you help the JCC with your stock donation, and help yourself.

Your stock broker knows how to do this and the JCC can be of assistance. It's easy, and a good way to help the JCC stay healthy f inancially.

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: 

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.

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 

 

JEWISH JOURNAL: 

JOURNAL

 

YAHRZEIT PLAQUE FORM:

PLAQUE 

 

KOL HAKAVOD DONATION FORM

KOL HAKAVOD