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JEWISH COMMUNITY
CENTER OF
LONG BEACH ISLAND
E-LETTER
January 12, 2024
2 Shevet 5784
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FRIDAY NIGHT & SATURDAY MORNING SHABBAT SERVICES
THIS WEEK ON ZOOM ONLY
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FOR THE BEST VIEWING OF THE SHABBAT REMINDER,
CLICK HERE
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES
SUNDAY, JANUARY 14
Pickleball
10:00 AM
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 16
Pickleball
3:00 PM
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17
Canasta & Mah Jongg
12:30 PM
Rabbi's Class
"The Case for Israel"
7:30 PM following minyan
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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
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FRIDAY JANUARY 19
Studying the Prophets
9:00 AM
Signing Class
11:00 AM
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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
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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"
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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.
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PICKLEBALL
SUNDAY 10:00 AM
TUESDAY 3:00 PM
THURSDAY 10:00 AM
Reminder: Pickleball for members only!
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MAH JONGG & CANASTA
WEDNESDAYS
12:30 PM TO 4:00 PM
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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
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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
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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
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Thursday, February 8 @8:30 PM
Dr. Eugene Sheppard, Brandeis University “Ideas of God in Jewish Mysticism”
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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Louis & Cheryl Celebre
January 13
44th Anniversary
Richard Schey & Vicki Baty
January 19
38th Anniversary
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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! | | |
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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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YOU CAN NOW FILL OUT A GIVING FORM AND PAY ON LINE IN ONE SIMPLE PROCESS.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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