JEWISH COMMUNITY
CENTER OF
LONG BEACH ISLAND
E-LETTER
January 13, 2023
20 Tevet 5783
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HAPPINESS THROUGH PRAYER
Last week I wrote about the prayer for Torah study. The Rabbis believed that we should study some Torah every day so the liturgy includes the prayer for Torah study and then provides some actual text to be studied. The text included varies from Siddur to Siddur, but one (nearly) universal submission comes from the Talmud (Shabbat 127a).
In Hebrew, the text begins “Eilu Devarim”. Thus, this is what we traditionally call this text. In English is starts: “These are the deeds that will benefit you now and in the future”. It then lists 10 things that one should be doing in order to make his/her life better and more meaningful. They are:
1) Honoring parents; 2) doing deeds of loving-kindness; 3) arriving at the house of study early--morning and evening; 4) providing hospitality; 5) visiting the sick; 6) helping the needy bride; 7) attending to the dead; 8) probing the meaning of prayer; 9) making peace between one person and another, and between husband and wife; and 10) the study of Torah outweighs them all.
In his book “The Happiness Prayer” (Center Street Hachette Book Group, LLC, 2017), Rabbi Evan Moffic, expresses his belief that if we lived our lives striving to do each of the ten tasks cited in Eilu Devarim, we would each be happier and more fulfilled.
Rabbi Moffic’s updated translation, while not literal, captures the prayer’s intent. This is how he interprets it:
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
Rabbi Moffic’s thesis is that if we intentionally infuse our lives with these ten “activities”, the very act of doing so will help to make us happy. There is wisdom in what he says. It is the wisdom of the Talmud updated to provide meaning for today.
We need to acknowledge the brilliance of the Rabbis who recognized that frequent Torah study would be good for us and who managed to find a way to inject it into our daily prayer. The prayer service is not just an amalgam of prayers. Much thought was put into what prayers to use, what themes should be included, and what purpose(s) the liturgy should fulfill.
Look closely at hat you are saying in your prayers the next time you look at them. Let me know what you find!
Shabbat Shalom -
Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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Candle Lighting time
Friday evening
January 13, 2023
4:36 PM
(So. Ocean County)
JOIN US FOR
SERVICES
Friday night
January 13, 2023
7:30 PM
IN PERSON AND
ON ZOOM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
Saturday Morning
January 14, 2023
9:00 AM
IN PERSON AND
ON ZOOM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
Torah Reading
Parashat Shemot
Exodus 1:1-6:1
Shemot (“Names”) is the first Torah reading in the Book of Exodus. It opens describing the enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt. Moses is born, placed in a basket on the Nile, and adopted into Pharaoh’s household. He later encounters God at a burning bush and begins his mission of demanding that Pharoah let the Israelites go.
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Haftorah
Isaiah 27:6-28:13, 29:22-23
Here is the Haftorah
Saturday evening
Havdallah
5:35 PM
Join with our dear friend Rabbi Hammerman and his family as they remember his daughter Leah on her 3rd Yahrzeit this Saturday evening - Sunday.
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Sunday - Thursday
Ma'ariv Service
7:30 PM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
join Zoom services:
Monday- Friday
Shacharit Service
8:15 AM
Sunday at 9:00 AM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
join Zoom services:
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OUR CLEAN UP CREW
Front Row
Eve Lehrer, Marty Hochman, Norma Hochman, Sherry Fruchterman, Diane Buskirk, Ina Morgenthal, Joanne Babbitt, Jill Denker, Cliff Denker
Back Row
Stu Lehrer, Paul Levine, Ron Buskirk, Howard Fruchterman, Rabbi Jay, Howard Babbitt. Missing from the photo Joyce Levine, Rose Valentine
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Last Sunday morning the JCC was bustling with members helping to sort out and organize much of the space which has not been used during the pandemic. Our crew tackled the library, classroom, WAX closet and kitchen. A lot was accomplished! Thank you to the WAX for spearheading this project.
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IF YOU MISSED LAST WEEK'S PROGRAM WITH ERIC MANDEL
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“Israel’s Challenges 2023: Iran, the Palestinians, Hezbollah, the Abraham Accords, and Anti-Semitism”
Here is the link and passcode.
Passcode: 9rvi+gxp
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THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13
WAX Brunch at Wally's
11:00 AM
MONDAY, JANUARY 16
Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism: Practice
A Hartman Class with Rabbi Jay
10:00 AM
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18
12:30 AM - 4 PM
Canasta & Mah Jongg
4:00 PM
WAX BOOK REVIEW
following Ma'ariv
7:45 PM
with Rabbi Jay
"Jewish Wisdom"
using the book
by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19
11:00 AM Torah Study with the Rabbi
2:00 PM Beginning Hebrew with Ira
SEE LINKS BELOW
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January 18 - WAX Book Group
January 21 - Cholent/Game Afternoon Shabbat
January 21 - Lighthouse International Film Society film at the JCC
January 26 - PJP History Zoom Series
January 29 - PJP Zoom Visit to the Anne Frank House
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DO NOT PANIC!!!!!!
THE LIFS SITE LISTS THE VENUE AS JOE POPS.
IT IS A MISTAKE THAT THEY WILL CORRECT.
PLEASE CONTINUE WITH YOUR ORDER.
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WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE..... |
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WHO: Lighthouse International Film Society & Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island
WHAT: Screening of Cinema Sabaya
WHEN: Saturday, January 21, 7:30 pm,
ADMISSION: $10 online/$12 door. (free to LIF Society members)
Advance reservations are strongly encouraged and appreciated
LONG BEACH ISLAND, NJ (January 3, 2023)—The word sabaya in Hebrew means “young girls,” so the irony is all the more sharply drawn when used in the title of this intimate story of eight woman—of various ages, both Arab and Jewish—who meet at a community center video workshop and begin documenting their lives.
As each student works on her filmmaking skills and shares her footage, beliefs and preconceptions are challenged and barriers broken down. The group comes together as the women they are—mothers, daughters, sisters, wives—all living in a world designed to keep them apart. Learning more about each other and themselves, their interactions form empowering, uplifting bonds.
Inspired by writer-director Orit Fouks Rotem’s own experiences as a teacher in Tel Aviv, Cinema Sabaya presents a deft and heartfelt portrait of art’s capacity to unite disparate communities. Moving seamlessly between the challenges they face in their domestic lives and the joy found in the new friendships fostered within this unlikely group, the women open a window onto our common humanity. And the cast, comprised of both professional actors and non-actors, strikes a perfect balance of humor and grit.
Cinema Sabaya is Israel’s Official Submission to the 95th Academy Awards, and winner of five Ophir Awards, including Best Picture; Best Director, Orit Fouks Rotem; and Best Supporting Actress, Joanna Said.
SEE TRAILER BELOW
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PNJ JEWISH TRAVEL PROGRAMS
Free of Charge to JCC Members & Friends
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NEXT PJP TRAVEL PROGRAM: "The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam: A Visit to the Secret Annex”
Sunday, January 29 at 1:00 PM
COME JOIN US on a virtual tour of the Secret Annex in the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam to examine the extraordinary life of Anne Frank and how her legacy continues to inspire young people today. Led by educators from the Anne Frank House this webinar will leave plenty of time for Q&A. Prior to the virtual tour please view the powerful documentary “The Short Life of Anne Frank” to prepare for the webinar.
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The JCC is participating in the PNJ Consortium. An exciting 8-part series is being made available to our congregation.
You need not register.
NEXT PROGRAM JANUARY 26, 2022
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JCC WOMEN’S AUXILIARY: BOOK GROUP DISCUSSION
WEDNESDAYS AT 4:00 PM
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Wednesday, January 18th at 4:00 pm
Discussion Leader: Sondi Pripstein
Three Sisters By Heather Morris
Against all odds, three Slovakian sisters have survived years of imprisonment in the most notorious death camp in Nazi Germany: Auschwitz. Livia, Magda, and Cibi have clung together, nearly died from starvation and overwork, and the brutal whims of the guards in this place of horror. From there, the three sisters travel to Israel, to their new home, but the battle for freedom takes on new forms. Livia, Magda, and Cibi must face the ghosts of their past--and some secrets that they have kept from each other--to find true peace and happiness.
FUTURE BOOKS:
February: House on Endless Waters
March: The Choice
April: Defending Brita Stein
ORDER YOUR BOOK FROM AMAZON AND START READING TODAY
Click here to borrow the book from the Ocean County Library.
A Zoom link will be sent shortly before the event.
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RSVP TO JILL DENKER 973-214-2767 Jill.denker@hotmail.com |
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REMBERING SOME SPECIAL FOODS FROM OUR PAST....
Here is a piece written by Sheila Weisel about Egg Cream.
A couple of weeks ago while I was sitting in front of my computer my husband walked into the den and handed me something that took me for a stroll down memory lane. It was something I hadn't had for a long time and made me very happy. It was an egg cream.
If you have never lived in one of the five boroughs of New York you probably don't know what a real Egg Cream is or how it tastes. Unfortunately, the egg cream has disappeared along with the changing culture and the corner luncheonettes, candy stores and the seltzer man that used to deliver cases of seltzer and soda to our homes. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
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Rabbi Jay also forwarded this article about my go-to dish - Noodles and Cottage Cheese. Enjoy reading about it and feel free to respond with any comments or write something about your favorite childhood food.
PS Sheila's article reminded me of my teen years when we would stop on the way home from high school at Doc's Pharmacy in Baldwin LI for a five cent egg cream.
Rose Valentine
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The following names will be read by the Rabbi on Friday evening
Arnold Brasch
Rose Dondershine*
Margie Miller
Katy Poster*
Abner Silver*
Sam Beckerman
MaryAnn Blum
William Carey
Laura B. Dicicco
Leo Labran
Melvin Margolis
Shirley Slomovitz
Beatrice Chazin
Jeanne Goldstein
Edna Katz
William Markowitz*
Edward R. Spencer*
Rose Kanis
Betty Berger*
Ira Berger
Barbara Black
Bette Cohen*
Stanton Einhorn
Mark Fisch
Lenore Light
Albert Margent
Jean Schiller
Betty Glassman Sitzer*
Rebecca Weinstein
Beatrice Bernstein
Elaine Dover
Albert Fagan*
Barbara Frank
*Memorial plaque will be lit this week.
In this Zoom era, we have been able to have a daily minyan at 8:15 AM and at 7:30 PM and on Shabbat. 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
Ken Foreman
January 15
Jean Spitzer
January 15
Justin Brasch
January 16
Marjorie Fagan
January 16
Lori Israelite
January 16
James Levey
January 16
H. Morton Scott
January 17
Elyse Tepper
January 17
Audrey Wisotsky
January 18
Helyn Benjamin
January 19
Sherry Fruchterman
January 19
Stacey Garb
January 19
Steven Kelsen
January 19
Rona Stein
January 20
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Richard Schey & Vicki Baty
January 19
37th Anniversary
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SHARE YOUR NEWS
AND PICTURES
CONTACT:
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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:
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:
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.
TRIBUTES
SEND ONE OF OUR TRIBUTES IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY OF
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 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:
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:
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:
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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
Donald Pripstein
Terri Robinovitz
David Shatz
Rob Van Naarden
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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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
THE OFFICE IS OPEN
MONDAY - FRIDAY
CLOSED THURSDAY
FROM 10 - 2
Staff:
Leslie Dinkfelt, Office Manager
Mary Beth Krieger, Staff Member
Diane Parzych, Staff Member
Susan Berube, Kitchen Manager
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LATEST
BULLETIN:
PRAYER BOOK:
WEB SITE:
PAVERS:
TREE OF LIFE
YAHRZEIT PLAQUE FORM:
KOL HAKAVOD DONATION FORM
TRIBUTES:
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Rabbi Michael S. Jay
Phil Rosenzweig, President
E-mail Editor: Rose Valentine
Graphics by
Irene Babst
Contributing Columnist
Sheila Weisel
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