Jewish Community Center of    JCC the Place to Be
 Long Beach Island  E-Letter

  March 20, 2020
  24 Adar 5780




Contents
A Message from the Rabbi
Kol Hakavod
Make the Most of Shabbat
Service Schedule
Yahrzeits for Next Week
Jewish Recipes
Happy Birthday
Congregation News
Documents & Links
 A MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI

Folks:
 
We are a people who have seen it all. We were the first to recognize the one true God in heaven. We were enslaved for over 400 years in Egypt. We were redeemed from slavery, received the Torah, and wandered homeless in the desert for 40 years. We conquered a homeland and built up the city of Jerusalem, which included a glorious Temple designed to be a home for God. In the late 5th century BCE, We were exiled from that land and allowed to return 70 years later. We built a second Temple. The second Temple was destroyed and we were exiled again. This time we wandered the globe, from country to country and from continent to continent. Some countries were better to us than others. But mostly we were abused outsiders who were, eventually the genocide that came to be known as the holocaust. Ultimately we returned to our God-given homeland and have turned it into an economic and scientific powerhouse.
 
In short, we have had a front row seat to many of the great civilizations and events, both good and bad, that have occurred in this world. Because of the history of our people we are well suited to confront new issues as they arise, including covid-19.
 
While our history has made us resilient, it does not make the ability to live through times such as these any easier.
 
What does our tradition provide for us when we are living through a crisis? According to Rabbi David Golinkin, this is what we have learned as a people:
 

Prayer :  When Jacob was about to face Esau after many years of estrangement, and feared for his life, the first thing he did was to pray. When Jews are faced with a health crisis, they recite Psalms such as chapters 121 and 130 and the  Mee Sheberakh  prayer for those who are ill.
 
Jewish Unity We are told in the Talmud ( Shevuot  39a) "All Jews are responsible for one another". This has always been the strength of the Jewish people, how much the more so in times of crisis.

We are all in the same boat "Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai taught: It can be compared to people who were in a boat and one of them took a drill and began to drill under his seat. His fellow passengers said to him: 'why are you doing this!' He said to them: 'What do you care? Am I not drilling under me?' They replied: 'Because you are sinking the boat with us in it!'" The entire world is in the same boat. If we do not help each other, we are in danger of sinking the entire boat.
 
Leave no one behind We read in Numbers chapter 12 that Miriam was "shut out of camp for seven days [with leprosy] and the people did not march until Miriam was readmitted". From this we learn that when one person is quarantined, the rest of the community must wait for them until they recover.

Talk to each other In the Talmud, Sotah 42b, there is a discussion of the verse (Proverbs 12:25): "If there is anxiety in a man's heart, let him ---". The question is, what does the last word mean? One rabbi says that he should put the anxiety out of his mind, while the other says that he should discuss it with others. Indeed, some people deal with a crisis by putting it out of their mind, but most people find comfort in talking about it with other people.

Hope From  Rosh Hodesh Elul  until  Hoshanah Rabbah , Ashkenazic Jews recite Psalm 27 twice a day. The final verse says: "Hope in the Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage, yea, hope in the Lord." Indeed, it is not an accident that the Israeli national anthem is called  Hatikvah , the Hope.
 
While our tradition provides us with guidance, it is the initiatives that we take, for and with each other, that often makes the difference. When we realized that our JCC family would find itself immersed in "Social distancing", we wanted to make sure to that we touched base with as many of you as we could. And we did.
 
In truth, we reached out to you, but you touched us with your response. You were so grateful and so open to sharing your stories.
 
 
These are some of the coping skills you sugg ested:
 
Cook
 
Walk the dog or if no dog, walk outside when the weather permits.
 
Read books.
 
Catch up with friends and family via emails, phone calls, and video chats. 
 
Observe nature outside, look at the trees, see the sky.
 
Count your blessings. 
 
Try not to kill each other, LOL!
 
Call a neighbor if you are going out, see if you can pick up something that they need and drop off at their door.
 
Call and check on the sick or the elderly.  Many of the senior day programs are no longer meeting right now.
 
One congregant will be helping to make lunches for the children in Little Egg Harbor who are on government assistance for their school lunch. 
 
While most reports were good, one doctor I spoke with reported that the stress of taking care of patients has been overwhelming. This is a reminder that we should be saying meaningful and heartfelt prayers for, and thanking, our medical professionals.
 
One of our callers reported, "that all I talked to appreciated the call, and with 3 of them (whom I don't know) our conversation lasted between 8 and 12 minutes. That is way longer than I ever speak with my kids."   
 
One caller reported that she chatted with a lovely lady for half an hour after we discovered our Jewish Geography connections.
 
Another caller spoke with a lot of lovely folks. Those in Florida are planning on remaining there for a while! Several have children who are coming to LBI to stay here for the duration! Calling our congregants was a terrific idea!
 
What I have learned today from making check-up-calls to the many members of our community is that we are a 99.8 percent resilient group of positive and creative people who are prepared (at home) and are already proactive in helping others (neighbors and friends) during this setback. I am proud to be a member of the JCC of LBI. 
 
Everyone I spoke with was genuinely touched with the reach out.  
 
My takeaway from this community building exercise is that the "callers" and the "called" were each strengthened by this mitzvah.  Now that is a win-win-win.
 
As one of our Executive Board members wrote to the callers: "You have in these difficult times done a great mitzvah,  an individual act of human kindness in keeping with the  commandment that  "you shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18)." 
 
Despite the anxiety of the times, we have much to be proud of and thankful for.
 
Be safe, Be healthy, keep your distance, and wash, wash, wash.
 
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

 

MAKE THE MOST OF SHABBAT
As the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) continues, we're all on high alert and getting used to life spent mostly at home, even on Shabbat. 
So long as you're feeling well, why not take some time to plan a meaningful at-home Shabbat experience? Here are just a few ways you can make the most of Shabbat and feel like part of a larger Jewish community - even when you can't leave the house.  

1. Make Shabbat your own. 

2. Watch services online.
3. Spend time talking Torah.
4. Cook a special meal.
5. Try a fun family activity.
 
No matter how you decide to observe Shabbat, take a moment to say the Mi Shebeirach prayer, which wishes a  r'fuah sh'leimah (complete healing) to all those suffering from coronavirus. You may also wish to say a prayer for the wisdom and skills of medical scientists, researchers, and public health officials around the world as they fight the spread of virus.

Debbie Friedman - Mi Shebeirach (2001)
Debbie Friedman - Mi Shebeirach (2001)

May we soon see an end to these uncertain times.
To see the full article by Chris Harrison, writer and editor for audacious hospitality at the Union for Reform Judaism and a fellow in its 2018 JewV'Nation Fellowship's Jews of Color Leadership Cohort, click on SHABBAT
 
 
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.
FOR HANDICAPPED ENTRANCE
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, Wednesday and Friday 9 AM to 1:30 PM 
  
 
Office Staff:
 Leslie Dinkfelt, Office Manager
   Mary Beth Krieger, Staff Member



   Mary Beth and Leslie



Tony DeGregorio, Custodial Staff



Kitchen Manager
Susan Berube


CONTACT INFORMATION:
  
Rabbi Michael S. Jay

Michael Babst, President
mjbofjcclbi@gmail.com

  VIEW THE February/March/April
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
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SHABBAT SHALOM

Shabbat 
Candle Lighting Time
Friday 
March 20, 2020
  6:51 PM
(So. Ocean County NJ)



Shabbat HaChodesh 
precedes the first of the Hebrew month of Nisan during which Passover is celebrated. On the first day of Nisan, G-d presented the first commandment of how to "sanctify the new moon" (kiddush hachodesh) for the onset of Rosh Chodesh and thus Nisan becomes the first month of the Jewish year (counting by months).


JOIN US FOR INTERNET
SERVICES



Friday evening
March 20, 2020
Kabbalat Service
6:00 PM
Here is your invitation to 
Join Zoom Services:


Saturday evening
  March 21, 2020
Havdallah
8:00 PM
Here is your invitation to
Join Zoom Services:
HAVDALLAH SERVICE

Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei
Exodus 35:1 - 40:38
Special Maftir
Exodus12.1-20
Here is the Parshah

Haftorah
 Ezekiel 45:16 - 46:18
Here is the Haftorah:

YAHRZEITS FOR NEXT WEEK

Meir Cohen
Arthur Goldsmith
Benjamin Katz
Henry Nagel
Milton Pollack
Sara Rubin
Eleanor Satir
Emily Spiegle
Seymour Tilbor
Marjorie Fisher*
Sel Gross Medvin*
Gloria Reason*
Josephine Tucker
Minnie Britz*
Solomen Chalek
Edna Eisner
Helen Freedman
Edward Gold
Abe Rosenbaum
Ginette Shomer
Sylvia Glasser
Sidney Kronenberg
Fanny Parker
Manuel Sidel
Morris Herman
Felix Horowitz
Robert Muscente
David Polinsky
Anita L. Ross
William Berger*
Hannah S. Cohen
Bernice Franks
T. Daniel Lang*
Jacob Liebenberg
Isidore Opatosky
Joseph Schlanger*
Marvin Henry Weinberger*
Ethel Zwillman
Chaya Cohen
Samuel Kreiger
Sam Singer
Hershel Alan Denker




PLEASE LET THE OFFICE KNOW WHEN YOU WILL NEED A MINYAN TO SAY KADDISH.  

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

JEWISH RECIPES FROM YOUR CUPBOARD


People around the world are staying home right now as we try to "self-isolate" to help curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Whether you're an avid and experienced home cook or just using this time to try some new-to-you recipes, we've rounded up a list of our favorite Jewishly inspired dishes that call for main ingredients you may already have on hand.
HERE ARE THE RECIPES BY 
Deborah Rood Goodman: 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Cake

This Week's
Birthdays 

Linda Chakrin
March 22
Diane Hoffman
March 23
David Forsted
March 24
Karen Fink
March 25
Jon Geier
March 25
Marlene Nissenblatt
March 26
C. Zachary Rosenberg
March 26
 
BELATED WISHES
Last Week's 
Birthdays

Karen Buchalter
March 14
Arlene Frumkin
March 14
Renie Carniol
March 15
Lexa Merson-Koel
March 15
Hana Cofsky
March 16
Joanne Glass
March 16
Ted Einhorn
March 17
Janet Greene
March 17
Ronnie Konner
March 17
Steven Silverman
March 17
Jonathan Drill
March 18
Stewart Fisher
March 20
Renee Ward
March 20
 


If you have not given the office your birthday information and would like to receive birthday wishes, please notify the office of your date of birth.

And if you would like to have the Rabbi give you or a family member a special blessing on the Shabbat of your/their birthday, please let him know: RABBI

CONGREGATION
NEWS



LYNN AND STAN BERMAN
on the birth if their great granddaughter
Yochoved Zakutinksy


SHARE YOUR NEWS
AND PICTURES

 
 
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,
Debby Schweighardt
if you are in need of assistance or if you know of a JCC member
that needs our help.
973-634-5349 
     

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 

 

YAHRZEIT PLAQUE FORM:

PLAQUE 

 

KOL HAKAVOD DONATION FORM

KOL HAKAVOD

 

ONEG SHABBAT SPONSOR:

ONEG 

 

KIDDISH SPONSOR:

KIDDISH