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A MESSAGE FROM RABBI JAY
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During my mom's Shiva I gave a few D'var Torahs on issues that occurred to me as we sat Shiva and observed the festival of Hanukkah.
The first had to do with the fact that in many stories of the Torah we find heroes with some extraordinary power. Jacob wrestles an angel to a draw, Joseph can interpret dreams, Solomon is brilliant, Samson has superhuman strength. Compare these biblical characters to the Maccabees. We are not told of any unique qualities that the Maccabees had. In fact, they are ordinary people who have decided to battle the Greek army. Despite the lack of super strength or super-intellect, the Maccabees were victorious. The message is that sometimes people achieve incredible accomplishments without the benefit astonishing powers. Ordinary folks are capable of extraordinary feats.
The second was inspired after I gazed at the Menorah on the third night of Hanukkah. The candles were all lit and we, the mourners and some guests, had just sung Maoz Tzur. I found my self gazing at the candles and recognizing a beautiful symbolism. Each candle is placed in the Menorah. The Menorah is firmly set on the ground. Though the candles are firmly connected to the ground, the flame is always reaching toward heaven. The message is that we should always be reaching for the higher part of ourselves, but at the same time we need keep ourselves connected to the ground which holds us and keeps us steady.
The third had to do with the idea of light itself. Hanukkah is the festival of Lights. Indeed, light is so important to our tradition. Light is the first thing God creates. We are a light unto the nations. Each time we light the menorah it represents an opportunity to recreate the world around us. Each candle represents a new ability to make the world a better place.
The last talk I gave had to do with Hanukkah itself. The word "Hanukkah" means dedication. The reference is to the rededication of the Temple which had been desecrated by the Greeks. We light candles on 8 successive nights, so each night in effect becomes a rededication. Today we are not just recalling the rededication of the Temple, but also making a promise to rededicate ourselves to something. As an example, perhaps you have started something and not completed it; you would then dedicate yourself to completing it. Perhaps you are not quite the person you hoped that you would turn out to be. Then you would rededicate yourself to implement positive change.
Shiva certainly provided an opportunity to think and talk about my mom. But it also gave me time to think about myself, and my family and the world around me. As I proceed through my mourning period, I am hopeful to share some of my thoughts and insights with you. As always, your questions and comments are welcomed.
Shabbat Shalom - Rabbi Michael S. Jay
MINYAN SCHEDULE FOR RABBI JAY
To Rabbi Jay we say: "Ha-Makom yenahem etkhem be-tokh avelei Ziyyon vi-Yrushalayim". "May God comfort you among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem."
Rabbi is in sheloshim (30-day period after burial). Let us as a congregation do all we can to provide a minyan for our Rabbi.
Schedule for this weekend:
12/22 Friday Shabbat evening service
12/23 Saturday Shabbat morning service
12/23 Saturday evening 5:00 PM
12/24 Sunday morning 9:00 AM
12/24 Sunday evening 5:00 PM
All the above at the JCC
12/25 Monday morning 9:00 AM at the chapel at SOMC prior to giving out poinsettias to patients.
Please respond to this link to let us know when you can be of help
MINYAN
TRAVEL TO ISRAEL WITH THE JCC OF LBI
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!
We have 17 people who have shown interest in the trip. Many of them have told me that you have friends or family who also want to go.
We are going to have an awesome time.
Shortly, our tour company (ITC) will be providing applications to be filled out with additional information.
Attached is a revised itinerary. You will note that on free evenings we will be provided with information on concerts or cultural events in the places where we will be. It is too early now to know what will be happening, but ITC will provide information once it is known.
The hotel difference of 300 dollars per person may or may not be significant to you. Check the websites of the hotels for an idea of the differences. The tour company tells us that the hotels are all very nice. Rooms may be smaller and there may be less amenities. Breakfast is provided at each hotel, but may be more elaborate at the higher priced hotels.
The tour is officially flying El Al; however, if you want to fly United, I believe that ITC can make arrangements.
Contact Rabbi Jay with any questions: 973 865 9534
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RABBI'S OFFICE HOURS
Rabbi Jay will now be at his office at the JCC on TUESDAYS and will have office hours from Noon - 2:00. Drop in to chat (call the office to make sure he is in and not out on an emergency 609-492-4090) or make an appointment with him (973-865-9534).
Rabbi Jay can always be reached on his cell phone ((973-865-9534) or at his email address ([email protected]).
He is also available by appointment.
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KOL HAKAVOD CAMPAIGN
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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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| THE WEEK THAT WAS.... |
In spite of the bad weather, there was a nice crowd for the Sisterhood Hanukkah Dinner. Thank you to Jody Brusilow and Carole Nunberg for preparing the dinner and other activities and to the Sisterhood for sponsoring this event.
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| WINTER OFFICE HOURS |
Beginning January 3, the JCC Office will be open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 - 1:30.
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| COMING HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES |
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Bringing Holiday Cheer to SOMC
as we deliver poinsettias to the patients.
Christmas Day 10:00 AM
Meet at the hospital lobby
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| SATURDAY NITE AT THE MOVIES |
SATURDAY EVENING
JANUARY 20
CHANGE OF DATE
6:30 PM
A Price Above Rubies"
Starring Renee Zelwegger and directed by Boaz Zakin
Sonia (Renée Zellweger) is a married Hasidic woman in  Brooklyn,
N.Y., whose husband, Mendel (Glenn Fitzgerald), is inattentive. She begins having an affair with Mendel's brother, Sender (Christopher Eccleston), who allows her to work in his jewelry business. There, she meets a Puerto Rican artist and designer named Ramon (Allen Payne), with whom she finds a strong connection. When Sender learns of her affection for Ramon, he sets out to ostracize her from her husband and family.
Popcorn & Soda will be available
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| YOU CAN HELP |
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.
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NAME BADGES
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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
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TEXT BLAST SIGN UP
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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.
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ADS FOR JCC BULLETIN
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Please contact the JCC Office (609-492-4090) if you would like to place an ad in the Bulletin
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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
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.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Rabbi Michael S. Jay
Rose Valentine, JCC President
SEE NOV/DEC/JAN 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 cut and paste:
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THIS WEEK'S EVENTS
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12/22 - 12/29
Monday
Christmas visit to SOMC
10:00 AM Hospital Lobby
OFFICE CLOSED MONDAY
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SHABBAT SHALOM
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4:18 PM
(So. Ocean County NJ)
HERE IS A CALENDAR OF ALL CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES
ON LBI FOR 5778
JOIN US FOR SERVICES
Friday,
December 22, 2017
8:00 PM
Services
BABY NAMING
of
Arielle Shira
daughter of
Rebecca & Daniel Almog
and
Kiddush sponsored by Carolyn & Warren Racusin in honor of the baby naming of their new granddaughter
Torah Portion
Ezekiel 37:15 - 37:28
Here is the Haftorah:
Torah Readers:
Rabbi Jay
Aaron Lombardi
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.
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| MISHABERACH LIST |
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We will be removing all names from the Mishaberach list at the end of December and beginning a new list for January. Please notify the office of anyone you want to wish a
Refuah Shlema.
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YAHRZEITS
FOR NEXT WEEK
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These names will be read at services on December 22, 2017
Leo Steinberg
Naomi Antonoff
Jerry Green*
Samuel Lisagor*
Mary Berkowitz
Marilyn Morgenthal*
Samuel Rosenberg
Lena Scheer
Esther Ruta Mirrer*
Vernon Rosenberg*
Rosie Starr
Rose Kleinfeld
Sarah Mizrahi
Robert Ian Stevens*
Jay Unger
Susan Blumenfield*
Ann Galer
William Gordon
Samuel Horowitz*
Ann Kamler
Helene Lowenthal
Herman Marcus
Becky Reiff*
Alex Birnbaum*
John M. Furman
Eva Kaplan
Gertrude Rifkin
Larry Zwillman
* Yahrzeit Plaque - These names are lovingly enshrined on our synagogue memorial boards.
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| UPCOMING SHABBAT ACTIVITIES |
We are planning special Shabbats in the months to come.
Friday, January 5 @6:00 PM
Friday, February 2 @6:00 PM
Friday, March 9 @ 6:00 PM
Shabbat and all the REST
One Shabbat a month, you can spend Saturday at the synagogue. There will be Torah Study @ 9
Services @10
Lunch @12
Game Afternoon @ 1-3
Mah jongg lessons will be given.
No betting or money
will be exchanged.
You can participate in any
or all of these activities.
January 20
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CONGREGATION
NEWS
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VIRGINIA JOSEPHSON
SHARE YOUR NEWS
CONTACT:
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, Kem Spencer if you are in need of assistance or if you know of a JCC member that needs our help.
201-819-3210
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CELEBRATE A MILESTONE AT THE
JCC OF LBI
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The JCC is a beautiful place to celebrate a milestone: wedding, anniversary, baby naming, birthday.
Contact Jeri at the office for further information. 609-492-4090
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KIDDUSHES
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Contact
the office 609-492-4090
for information about
sponsoring a Kiddush
SEE DONATION & MENU:
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SISTERHOOD STUFF
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SHOEBOX RECYCLING
PROGRAM
FOR DETAILS, PLEASE CLICK:
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GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
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S
END ONE OF OUR NEW TRIBUTES IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY OF
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. Join Herb and Selma Shapiro 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. 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.
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
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TD AFFINITY PROGRAM
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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.
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| 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 KIDDUSH SPONSOR KIDDUSH |
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The Jewish Community Center of LBI 
