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A TORAH MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
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Parashat Pekudei is the last portion in the Book of Exodus. The book begins with an accounting of the 70 souls that entered Egypt before slavery, segues into the beginning of Israelite slavery, introduces us to Moses, switches to God redeeming the Israelites from slavery, highlights God's revelation at Mount Sinai, and concludes with the building of the Mishkan, God's portable home for the 40 years that the Children of Israel wandered in the desert.
The Torah tells us that when God's cloud raised up from the Mishkan, the Israelites would journey. When it rested on the Mishkan they would settle. Apart from being a beacon of sorts, the Mishkan is an important symbol for the Israelites. It told them that God could be present wherever the Israelites physically were.
I think that more importantly, the Mishkan helped the Israelites to realize that God was not just present physically, but that the Deity could be wherever the Israelites were mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. A mobile God is a God that can be met wherever you happen to be.
As Abraham Joshua Heschel explained, humanity searches for God at the same time as God searches for humanity. Both lonely, both in need of companionship, both in need of answers, and both with a story to complete.
At the end of each book of the Torah we chant Chazak, Chazak, V'nischazeik - Be Strong! Be Strong! And May We Be Strengthened. As we end the Book of Exodus, with the Israelites and God wandering together, it could be read as follows: "Be strong Israel! Be Strong God! And may we (Israel and God) be strengthened together".
As Governor Brendan Byrne might have said: "Israel and God, Perfect together!"
A FEW PROGRAMMING NOTES:
Last week our community was strengthened as 30 of us gathered for a Shabbat Dinner, joining thousands of Jews across North America for "Shabbat Across America". We sang, ate, prayed, learned, and schmoozed. What a wonderful way to spend a Friday night.
Join the JCC on Wednesday, March 20th, at 6:00 pm, as we have Pizza, Pasta, and Purim. We will read the Megillah, make noise, and learn about the other Mitzvoth of Purim. We give Gift baskets of Food to our friends and charity to those in need. And of course, the most important mitzvah of Purim is to be happy!
Finally don't forget to join us for Shabbat dinner at 6:00 pm, on Friday April 5th!
Shabbat Shalom - Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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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...
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Shabbat Dinner last Friday evening was again a big hit with 25 people at the JCC for dinner and/or services. This has been a wonderful way to greet Shabbos this winter. Thanks to Rabbi Jay and all those who have helped.
Next dinner April 5. Watch for details.
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IT'S TIME TO BAKE HAMENTASHEN
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Where Do Hamantaschen Come From?
There is a German dessert called mohntaschen, which translates to "poppy pockets." Hamantaschen is a portmanteau  of "Haman," the name of the villain of the Book of Esther, nd mohntaschen. This is also why poppyseed is the classic filling of hamantaschen.
The iconic three-cornered shape of the cookie is said to represent Haman's ears. The Hebrew for hamantaschen is oznei Haman, which means "Haman's ears." Hamantaschen can be savory or sweet, filled with just about anything.
HAMENTASHEN DOUGH (PAREVE)
Makes 3 to 4 Dozen Hamantaschen
Ingredients:
2 sticks unsalted pareve margarine
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Zest of 1/4 of a large orange
5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup orange juice
Filling of your choice, canned or homemade
1 egg plus 1 tablespoon water for glaze
Directions:
- Cream the margarine and sugar until well combined. Add the eggs, vanilla, and orange zest, and mix until light and fluffy.
- Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a 1-quart bowl. Add half the flour mixture to the mixing bowl, and stir until almost incorporated. Add half the orange juice and combine.
- Repeat with the remaining flour mixture and the remaining orange juice until a soft, smooth dough is formed. Refrigerate the dough for 15 minutes or longer before rolling out.
- Roll out the dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured board, and cut into 2 1/2-inch circles.
- Place 1 scant teaspoon of filling in the center of each circle. Shape into triangles by using your thumbs to push up from the bottom of the circle and your forefingers to pull down from the top sides. Pinch the top seams of the dough well to securely enclose almost all of the filling. A little should peek through the top of the opening.
- Combine the remaining egg with the 1 tablespoon of water, and brush the egg wash on the tops of the hamantaschen.
- Bake at 350°F on parchment-lined cookie sheets for 12 minutes or until lightly golden.
POP[Y SEED (MOHN) FILLING
Ingredients:
1 cup ground poppy seeds (about 4 ounces)
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup honey
Grated zest of 1/2 lemon
2/3 cup raisins
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
Directions:
- Place the poppy seeds in a 1-quart bowl, and pour boiling water over to 1 inch above the seeds. Set aside for 15 minutes and drain thoroughly.
- Place the poppy seeds, sugar, honey, lemon zest, raisins, and vanilla in a processor work bowl. Process until well ground.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl and fold in the finely chopped walnuts. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
You can also fill with various jellies or jams.
OR EVEN BETTER YET
COME AND BAKE HAMENTASHEN WITH THE RABBI ON SUNDAY, MARCH 17 AT 10 AM
AT THE JCC KITCHEN.
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MIRIAM'S SEDER
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The women of BethAm Shalom and Congregation Sha'arey Ha-Yam cordially invite the ladies of the JCC of LBI to join them for the third annual Miriam's Seder on Thursday, April 11, 2019 at 6 PM at BETH AM SHALOM, 1235 NJ-70, LAKEWOOD, NJ 08701.
For further information feel free to reach out to Fran Gimpel at 732-657-7120.
See the attached flyer for details: MIRIAM'S SEDER
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GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
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SEND ONE OF OUR TRIBUTES IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY OF
PAVERS
Inscribe a paver at the front entrance to the building
See form for your order:
PAVERS
We will be taking orders for pavers to be put in this Spring. Please contact Diane Hoffman with your order or with any questions:
TREE OF LIFE
Add a leaf (leaves) to our beautiful Tree of Life located in the Social Hall. See the order form here: TREE OF LIFE
Bronze Leaf $90
Silver Leaf $126
Gold :Leaf $180
ENDOWMENT FUND
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.
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.
YAHRZEIT PLAQUES
Space is available for memorial plaques on the yahrzeit boards in the Sanctuary. Here is the order form: PLAQUES
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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.
Think about joining this program and helping the JCC to reap the benefits.
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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: BADGES
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BULLETIN ADS
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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.
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
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Mary Beth, Tony and Leslie
Office Staff:
Leslie Dinkfelt, Office Manager
Mary Beth Krieger, Staff Member
Tony DeGregorio, Custodial Staff
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Rabbi Michael S. Jay
Michael Babst, President
VIEW THE FEBRUARY/MARCH/APRIL BULLETIN
with this link
E-mail Editor: Rose Valentine
"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:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jewish-Community-Center-of-Long-Beach-Island/345647489300?ref=br_tf
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NEXT WEEK'S EVENTS
3/8/19 - 3/15/19
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Click here for JCC Calendar:
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Friday
March 8, 2019
5:38 PM
(So. Ocean
County NJ)
JOIN US FOR SERVICES
March 8, 2019
Services
7:00 PM
Rabbi's Talk:
Gender Fluidity in our Tradition
SATURDAY
March 9, 2019
Torah Study
9:00 AM
Services
10:00 AM
Pedukei
(Exodus 38:21 - 40:38)
I Kings 7L51 - 8:21
Torah Readers:
Aaron Lombardi
Rabbi Jay
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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YAHRZEITS FOR NEXT WEEK
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These names will be read at services on March 8, 2019
Arlene Babst
Rachel Bendavid
Adam Heller
Esther Hirsch
Jeffrey Weiner
Eleanor Marcus
Hilda Rosenberg
Harry Dudkin
Israel Koller
Aaron Lox
Frank John Lamagna
Gloria Cohen
Amanda Kanowitz*
Nellie Lehman
Isador London
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.
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PURIM
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Hamentashen Baking:
Sunday
March 17, 10 am
Wednesday,
March 20th
Pizza, Pasta, and Purim.
6:00 pm
Dinner with an
inventive reading
of the Megillah to follow.
Dinner will be: $10.00 per person, $20.00 per family
Come in a costume and get a prize!!!
It is a fun Mitzvah
to hear the Megillah!
Contact the office
to make a reservation
609-492-4090
or click on this link
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COMMUNITY SEDER
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Saturday, April 20, 2019
6:00 PM
Interactive Seder led by Rabbi Michael Jay
Adults
$40
Children 13 - 18
$25
Children under 13
free of charge
Contact the JCC Office to make your reservation
609-492-4090
or click on this link
JCC OFFICE
If you can help with the set up. contact Irene Babst, Seder Coordinator
856-904-5145
or click on this link
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CONGREGATION
NEWS
SHEILA & HARRIS WEISEL
on the bat mitzvah
of their granddaughter
Samantha Weisel
March 30, 2019
CONDOLENCES
TO
SUZY GEIER
on the passing of her brother Robert G. Muscente
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SHARE YOUR NEWS
AND PICTURES
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
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BIRTHDAY GREETINGS
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Through a program with our email provider, Constant Contact, we are able to send birthday greetings to our members. If you are a member and we do not have your birthday and want to receive an email greeting, please contact the office: 609-492-4090
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SISTERHOOD STUFF
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TO SPONSOR AN ONEG SHABBAT ON ANY FRIDAY EVENING, PLEASE CONTACT
JODY BRUSILOW
AT 610-745-4006.
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SPONSOR A KIDDUSH
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We are proud to announce the establishment of the
Zena Jay Kiddush Fund
in memory of Rabbi Jay's mother
Those who want to sponsor a kiddish or would like to donate to the fund, can contact the office at 609-492-4090
For information about
sponsoring a Kiddush
SEE DONATION & MENU:
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CELEBRATE A MILESTONE AT THE JCC
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The JCC is a beautiful place to celebrate a milestone: wedding, anniversary, baby naming, birthday.
Contact the office for further information. 609-492-4090
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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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| 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 |
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