JEWISH COMMUNITY

CENTER OF

LONG BEACH ISLAND

E-LETTER


January 12, 2024

2 Shevet 5784

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR WEBSITE
CLICK HERE FOR THE JCC CALENDAR

FRIDAY NIGHT & SATURDAY MORNING SHABBAT SERVICES

THIS WEEK ON ZOOM ONLY

FOR THE BEST VIEWING OF THE SHABBAT REMINDER,

CLICK HERE

A MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI

Since October 7th every day has been filled with reading articles, watching news reports, speaking with family, friends, and colleagues, writing articles, and taking steps to help Israel and our people. It is exhausting. One of the hardest things about being on vacation, was keeping away from the news. That, too, was exhausting. And, as if Gaza and the war and the antisemitism have not enough to deal with, now I find myself looking for news to come out about the court proceedings at the Hague. (Which is reminiscent of the Inquisition or the disputations in the Middle Ages.) This, too, is exhausting.


I know you are feeling it as well because I get emails and calls and texts from so many or you. In truth, the communication with so many of you has been a bright side in all of this. (Hey! I just realized that you all have been bringing me some happiness. Good job! Please continue to reach out to me.)


I have decided that it is time to search for calm in the cacophony of our current existence. In order to do this, I think it would be a good idea to work on our “selves”, as individuals, first.


So, let’s begin to try to relieve some of the burden we are feeling. A few years ago on Rosh Hashanah, I spoke about a wonderful book entitled “The Happiness Prayer”, by Rabbi Evan Moffic. The message of this book will provide a good starting point in our search for increasing happiness.


Every day at Shacharit (the morning service), one of the first prayers we read begins with the following thought: “These are the deeds that will benefit you now and in the future”. The prayer then lists 10 things that one should be doing in order to make his/her life better, more meaningful, or, as Rabbi Moffic states, “happy”.


While not a literal translation, Rabbi Moffic’s broad interpretation is beautiful and, I believe, represents a wonderful expression of the prayer’s underlying intention. The list as he enunciates it is as follows:


1)  Honor those who gave you life

2)  Be kind

3)  Keep Learning

4)  Invite others into your life

5)  Be there when others need you

6)  Celebrate good times

7)  Support yourself and others during times of loss

8)  Pray with intention

9)  Forgive

10) Look inside and commit


If we can work to make ourselves happy or, at least, happier, I believe it will make facing the realities of our current world a bit easier. I ask you to read the list and re-read it. Remember it, internalize it, and then try to live it. 


When you consider that this has been in our prayer book for about two thousand years, it provides an important insight into the Rabbis who helped to ensure the continuity our tradition. There is so much that our tradition has to offer about how to live one’s life. Whether it is in the Torah, the Talmud or the later writings and commentaries, questions and answers abound. 


"Even if happiness forgets you a little bit, never completely forget about it." —Jaques Prevert


Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay



SHABBAT SHALOM


Shabbat Candle

Lighting time

Friday evening

January 12, 2024

4:35 PM



JOIN US FOR SERVICES


Friday, January 12, 2024

SERVICES

6:30 PM

ON ZOOM ONLY

Here is 

your invitation from 

Rabbi Jay to join

Zoom services

FRIDAY NIGHT


Saturday,

January 13, 2024

9:00 AM

ON ZOOM ONLY


Here is

your invitation from 

Rabbi Jay to join

Zoom services

SHABBAT


TORAH READING

Parashat Vaera 

Exodus 6:2-9:35

Here is the Parshah


Vaera (“I Appeared”) opens as God promises to redeem the enslaved Israelites and bring them to the Promised Land. When Pharaoh repeatedly refuses to let the Israelites go, God sends a series of plagues: water turning to blood, frogs, lice, wild animals, death of livestock, boils, and hail.


HAFTORAH

Ezekiel 28:25-29:21

Here is the Haftorah


HAVDALLAH

5:00 PM

ON ZOOM ONLY

Here is

your invitation from 

Rabbi Jay to join

Zoom services

HAVDALLAH



.WEEKDAY

SERVICES


Sunday - Thursday

Ma'ariv Service

7:30 PM

Here is your invitation from Rabbi Jay to

join Zoom services:

MA'ARIV


Monday- Friday

Shacharit Service

8:15 AM

Sunday at 9:00 AM

Here is your invitation from Rabbi Jay to

join Zoom services:

SHACHARIT

LEARN HEBREW WITH IRA


Ira Morgenthal is beginning a new Beginners Hebrew Class. He has one student signed up and is look for one more (or even more) person who would like to learn how to read Hebrew. Give him a call if you are interested. 908-705-2576


Thank you to JCC Member Dr. Bernard Hershenberg for his insightful program on Retirement and Aging and to the great group of paritcipants on the Zoom meeting. Folks not near retirement, considering retirement and those retired appreciated his information and recommendations. Future programs will include topics such as Dermatology & the Sun, Surviving your Next Prescription, The Mind and Body Connection.


If you missed the two interesting PJP programs last week, you can view with the LINKS below.


Jewish Egypt CLICK HERE TO VIEW Passcode: E?8XZnLz

Here is some further reading:

Sipping from the Nile by Jean Naggar

Man in the white Sharkskin Suit by Lucette Lagnado

Growing Up in Jewish Alexandria by Lucienne Carasso

and a facinating video: Egypt, Mon Amor  CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO


"Ideas of God in Jewish Mysticism" with Eitan Fishbane

CLICK HERE TO VIEW Passcode: 1tO$f7^?


Bonni Rubin-Sugarman was omitted on list of NYE Committee members in last week's email. Bonni was instrumental in getting our fabulous DJ for the party. Kol Hakavod.

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES



SUNDAY, JANUARY 14

Pickleball

10:00 AM

******


TUESDAY, JANUARY 16

Pickleball

3:00 PM

******


WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17

Canasta & Mah Jongg

12:30 PM


Rabbi's Class

"The Case for Israel"

7:30 PM following minyan

**********


THURSDAY, JANUARY 18

Pickleball

10:00 AM



Torah Study with the Rabbi

11:00 AM


Intermediate Hebrew with Ira

2:00 PM


WAX Book Review

4:00 PM


SHUL FILM SERIES

Funny Girl

8:30 PM

***********


FRIDAY JANUARY 19

Studying the Prophets

9:00 AM


Signing Class

11:00 AM


CLICK FOR WEDNESDAY EVENING CLASS
CLICK FOR THE THURSDAY MORNING TORAH STUDY
CLICK FOR THURSDAY WAX BOOK REVIEW
CLICK HERE FOR THURSDAY NITE SHUL FILM SERIES
CLICK FOR FRIDAY MORNING CLASS


LEARN SIGNING WITH

ANTHONY DEFRANCO

at the JCC



FRIDAYS

10:00 AM - 11:AM

January 19, February 2, February 16, March1, March 15


Another program brought to you by the JCC Women's Auxiliary


ATTENTION EVERYONE

RABBI JAY WILL BE LEADING

A WAX DISCUSSION OF

A VERY IMPORTANT BOOK

ON A VERY IMPORTANT SUBJECT


ANTI-SEMITISM



WITH OF REVIEW OF BARI WEISS' BOOK

"HOW TO FIGHT ANTI-SEMITISM"


Thursday, January 18th at 4:00 pm

Discussion Leader: Rabbi Jay

How to Fight Anti-Semitism by Bari Weiss


On October 27, 2018, eleven Jews were gunned down as they prayed at their synagogue in Pittsburgh. It was the deadliest attack on Jews in American history.

 

For most Americans, the massacre at Tree of Life, the synagogue where Bari Weiss became a bat mitzvah, came as a shock. But anti-Semitism is the oldest hatred, commonplace across the Middle East and on the rise for years in Europe. So that terrible morning in Pittsburgh, as well as the continued surge of hate crimes against Jews in cities and towns across the country, raise a question Americans cannot avoid: Could it happen here? This book is Weiss’s answer.  

Like many, Weiss long believed this country could escape the rising tide of anti-Semitism. With its promise of free speech and religion, its insistence that all people are created equal, its tolerance for difference, and its emphasis on shared ideals rather than bloodlines, America has been, even with all its flaws, a new Jerusalem for the Jewish people. But now the luckiest Jews in history are beginning to face a three-headed dragon known all too well to Jews of other times and places: the physical fear of violent assault, the moral fear of ideological vilification, and the political fear of resurgent fascism and populism.


Bari Weiss is an American journalist, writer, and editor. She was an op-ed and book review editor at The Wall Street Journal (2013–2017)[1] and an op-ed staff editor and writer on culture and politics at The New York Times (2017–2020).[2] Since March 1, 2021, she has worked as a regular columnist for German daily newspaper Die Welt.[3] Weiss founded the media company The Free Press (formerly Common Sense) and hosts the podcast Honestly.


CLICK TO JOIN THE DISCUSSION

PICKLEBALL



SUNDAY 10:00 AM

TUESDAY 3:00 PM

THURSDAY 10:00 AM



Reminder: Pickleball for members only!

MAH JONGG & CANASTA


WEDNESDAYS

12:30 PM TO 4:00 PM

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES



WAX Brunch

at Wally's

Friday, January 12

11:00 AM


WAX Book Discussion

Thursday, January 18

4:00 PM


Funny Girls Part 2

Thursday, January 18, 2024

8:30 PM



Learn Signing

Beginning Friday, January 19

10:00 AM


Cholentfest

Saturday, January 20

11:30 AM

following services


Shabbat Dinner


Please join us on Friday February 2 at 6:30 PM

for our monthly Shabbat Family dinner followed by services.



We are planning a home cooked menu (but cooked at the JCC).



Please please please RSVP to the JCC Office 609-492-4090

so we know how many are joining.

$25 per adult/$10 per child 13 and under.


Your hosts

Suzy & Jon Geier

Joyce & Paul Levine


Thanks to our membership in the PJP we are able to enjoy a variety of programs. Here are the new programming lists. No need to register in advance.

PJP Series "What Jews Think”

2023-2024

Thursday, February 8 @8:30 PM

Dr. Eugene Sheppard, Brandeis University “Ideas of God in Jewish Mysticism”

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE PROGRAM
SEE ADDITIONAL PROGRAM DETAILS HERE

PJP Travel Programs

2023-2024


Sunday, January 28 @ 1:00 PM “Stories from Curacao’s Jewish History” with Ron Gomes Casseres


This presentation will include both historical and current stories about the Curaçao Jewish community and practices. Curaçao will also be introduced for those who may not be familiar with my home country. There will be several photographs to show aspects of Curaçao, the synagogue and Jewish heritage sites. Ronald Gomes Casseres descends from Sephardic Jews who came to Curaçao in 1690. He was born on the Dutch Caribbean island where he is a leader of the historic Mikvé Israel-Emanuel community. Now retired from a long commercial banking career, one of his interests is the history of his Jewish community and its practices and has published on this in local and international media. He has been active in numerous organizations and institutions in Curaçao. He was awarded a Royal decoration by the Kingdom of the Netherlands for social and cultural contributions to the Curaçao community.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE PROGRAM
SEE FUTURE PROGRAM DETAILS HERE

Join us for our 2nd 3-Part Series on Jewish Hollywood



Funny Girls Part 2 - Jan 18, 2024 - 8:30 PM


Those Were the Days - Feb 22, 2024 - 8:30 PM 
To Order your Shirts or Caps, Click Here
To pay by credit card on the JCC Website

CONGREGATION NEWS


The following names will be read by the Rabbi on Friday evening:


Erik Cameron, MD

Perla Zavelson

Lillian Kenter*

Frieda Klein

Martin Nissenblatt

Mary Esther Sprague Ruoff*

Benjamin Scharf

Helen Tebeleff

Sondra Zegas

Milton Elefant

Henry Hirsh

William Jaslow

Jack Kaplan

Stella Schub

Joseph Stern

Arthur Sussman

Marvin Alexander

Romeo Dicicco

Janet Dondershine

Marvin Fitts*

Phyllis Greenfield

David Lipsitz

Bernard Matz

Esther Sheparde

Harold Simandl

Mel Ehrich

Abraham Robin*

Todd Michael Spencer*

David Brill*

Donald Brill*

Isador Dalinsky

Henry Rosen

Peter Ungar

Erma Glass

Anna Gottlieb* 



We encourage you to join us on the day of your loved one’s yahrzeit. In the morning, the service is about ½ hour beginning at 8:15 and in the evening at 7:30 until about 7:45. Rabbi will be glad to say the traditional El Malei Rachamim prayer for you, which is recited during the funeral, going up to the grave of the departed, Yizkor remembrance day and other occasions on which the memory of the dead is recalled. You are also welcome to share with the minyan some special memories of your loved one.

 

CLICK HERE FOR EVENING SERVICE
CLICK HERE FOR MORNING SERVICE
Cake

Kenneth Abend

January 14

Steven R. Sher

January 14

Norman Barham

January 15

Gerard Genna

January 15

Justin Brasch

January 16

Marjorie Fagan

January 16

Lori Israelite

January 16

H. Morton Scott

January 17

Audrey Wisotsky

January 18

Sherry Fruchterman

January 19

Stacey Garb

January 19

Steven Kelsen

January 19

Louis & Cheryl Celebre

January 13

44th Anniversary

Richard Schey & Vicki Baty

January 19

38th Anniversary


SHARE YOUR NEWS

AND PICTURES


CONTACT: 

rvalen1963@aol.com

MEET THE SOUP TROOP: Noralyn Carroll, Irene Babst and new member Robin Genna. They made soup in the JCC kitchen to be given to our members who are not feeling well. Contact Irene or Noralyn if you or if you know of a member who needs some Jewish penicillin. Local delivery only!

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 

YOU CAN NOW FILL OUT A GIVING FORM AND PAY ON LINE IN ONE SIMPLE PROCESS.

Go to jccoflbi.org - community - forms

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES


PAVERS

Inscribe a paver at the front entrance to the building

8" X 4", 8" X 8" and 12" X 12"


SEE UPDATED ORDER FORM:

PAVER FORM

Become a permanent part of the JCC landscape.

Purchase a personalized paving stone

in honor of your family or in memory of a loved one.


Please contact Diane Hoffman

with your order or with any questions:

dihoff1@aol.com



PRAYER BOOKS

There are still High Holiday Prayer Books and Chumashim available to be purchased in memory or honor of someone or something. The cost of a Prayer Book is $72 each and $120 for an Eitz Hayim Chumash. The donation includes an affirmation sticker in the book and an acknowledgement letter or letters.

See Order form here: Prayer Book



TRIBUTES

SEND ONE OF OUR TRIBUTES IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY OF

See order form here: TRIBUTES



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


Herb z"l and Selma z”l Shapiro established the first individual Endowment Fund in memory of his father, as part of the JCC’s Endowment Fund portfolio.


Since then, three additional individual Endowment Funds have been established. Other members are encouraged to also provide for the future of our JCC by establishing similar funds. Please consider adding to this number.


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 named funds will be joined together to be part of the Endowment Fund portfolio.

 

Endowment funds are necessary to ensure the continuation and well being of our congregation. All members are encouraged to help this important effort by contributing to this portfolio, whether as a specific named individual fund, or as a general donation. The donation can be spread over one, two, or three years, and can be paid via check, donation of appreciated stock, wills, or from the RMD of your IRA or 401K account. 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: 

YAHRZEIT



KOL HAKAVOD


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


2023 MEMBERSHIP FORMS


Your support is so important to the continued success of the JCC.

Here is form for renewal:

RENEW NOW


And if you have been reading our Shabbat Reminder and other communications and have not yet joined our congregation, here is the new member form:

JOIN NOW



JCC FUNDS

Your gift to the JCC supports our Clergy, our Congregation and the Community.

ENDOWMENT FUND
This fund was established to assure the continuity of our JCC, and our ability to continue providing a full-service congregation to serve the Jewish people of the area. While a donation of any amount is encouraged, a donation of at least $50,000 allows the donor to name a special or specific Endowment Fund in memory or honor of a specific person event, or family.

GENERAL FUND
Donations to this fund are not earmarked but placed in the general administrative account. Donations to this fund can be in honor or memory of a person, event, or family.

KOL HAKAVOD FUND
Donations to this campaign supplement the clergy needs of our congregation.

RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
This fund, managed by the rabbi, allows donors to enable the rabbi to do the work of tzedakah in response to the needs of individuals, organizations and the community.

ZENA & JERRY JAY KIDDISH FUND
The Zena and Jerry Jay Kiddush Fund was established in memory of Rabbi Jay's parents to help provide funds for our Saturday morning kiddushes.
JCC LEADERSHIP

OFFICERS
President- Phil Rosenzweig
1ST Vice President-Sherry Fruchterman
2ND Vice President-Diane Hoffman
3RD Vice President- Rose Valentine
Treasurer- Ira Morgenthal
Secretary- Cliff Denker
Immediate Past President -Michael Babst

BOARD MEMBERS
Howard Babbitt 
Diane Buskirk
Mitch Frumkin

Jon Geier

Paul Levine

Ken Podos

Terri Robinovitz

David Shatz

Bonni Rubin-Sugarman



WOMEN'S AUXILIARY


President - Diane Buskirk

Co-Vice President - Noralyn Carroll

Co-Vice President - Jill Denker

Treasurer - Suzy Geier

Secretary - Joanne Babbitt

Immediate Past President - Irene Babst

JCC INFORMATION


THE JCC OF LBI IS LOCATED AT

2411 Long Beach Boulevard

(24th Street)

Spray Beach, NJ 08008

Telephone: 609-492-4090 FAX: 609-492-7550

email: jccoflbi@gmail.com

web site: www.jccoflbi.org  

  

THE OFFICE IS OPEN

MONDAY - FRIDAY

FROM 10 - 2

CLOSED THURSDAY


CLOSED

12/25 & 12/31



 Staff:

 Leslie Dinkfelt, Office Manager

  Mary Beth Krieger, Staff Member

 Diane Parzych, Staff Member

Susan Berube, Kitchen Manager



LATEST

BULLETIN:

BULLETIN


PRAYER BOOK:

Prayer Book

 

WEB SITE:

JCC WEB SITE


PAVERS:

PAVER FORM 


TREE OF LIFE

TREE

  

YAHRZEIT PLAQUE FORM:

YAHRZEIT PLAQUES


KOL HAKAVOD DONATION FORM

KOL HAKAVOD


TRIBUTES:

TRIBUTES 



CONTACT INFORMATION:

  Rabbi Michael S. Jay

mjayrab@gmail.com


Phil Rosenzweig, President

prosenzweig@sanddlawyers.com 


 

E-mail Editor: Rose Valentine 

rvalen1963@aol.com 

Graphics by

Irene Babst

Contributing Columnist

Sheila Weisel