Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island E-Letter
January 28, 2022
26 Shevet 5782
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A TORAH MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI |
I am writing this on Thursday, January 27th, which is international Holocaust Remembrance day. On this date in 1945 the Soviet army liberated Auschwitz. While the day is important, a few things are, in retrospect, abundantly clear. First, the Allies new about the camps long before January 27th, yet they made a conscious decision to do nothing about it. Second, In the years before the holocaust, despite clear evidence that the Jewish people were in trouble, the countries of the world (including the US) essentially shut their doors to the Jewish people. Third, as the noose tightened around the Jewish people in Europe, they were deliberately denied access to their ancestral homeland in the middle east. Had either of these three facts been otherwise, the number of Jews murdered would have been significantly reduced.
To the world, the Jew was always the “stranger”, we bore the mark of the “other”. This made it easy for those in power to treat us in humanly and ethically unacceptable ways. It made us expendable. This is why having our own, Jewish, homeland is so important. As we recall the liberation 77 years ago, let us not forget the importance of a strong and fully supported Israel. Do not let anyone dissuade you from this task.
While the hostage taking incident at Beth El Congregation in Colleyville, Texas, ended positively for the Jewish community, the incident highlighted that antisemitism continues to rise at an alarming rate in this country. Increasingly, American Jews and Jewish institutions are the targets of anti-Jewish hatred. You can see it in our schools, universities, corporations, on social media, and in the public square. All of this highlights the need for a revitalized and strengthened American Jewish community.
It is for this reason that we need to be going out of our way to strongly support our JCC and other Jewish organizations. If you are reading this, you are already connected Jewishly. But each of us could do more. If you haven’t come to the JCC’s services, or classes, or programs, now would be a great time to start. Once you do, I am sure that you will find something that interests you. The next thing you can do is to invite an unconnected friend to check out what we are doing.
As we recall the liberation of Auschwitz and the beginning of the end of the darkest period in Jewish existence, even as we remember and say, “never again”, we should turn our energy to becoming the best Jewish selves we can be. Parashat Mishpatim provides a perfect platform from which to begin doing this.
In this week’s Torah portion we learn that a stranger should not be wronged or oppressed (because we were strangers in Egypt). Indeed, the Torah, no less than 36 times, reminds us not to mistreat the stranger.
The lesson, as we remember our liberation, is that we have known the oppression, humiliation, and tragedy of being the stranger. It is what has made us sensitive to the plights of those less fortunate than us in our country and in the world.
Remember what the world let happen to our grandparents and great grandparents. Remember that we are required to treat others with dignity and compassion. Remember that we are meant to be a light unto the nations.
Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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Candle lighting Time
Friday evening,
January 28, 2022
4:54 PM
So. Ocean County
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JOIN US FOR
SERVICES
Friday evening
Jauary 28, 2022
6:00 PM
ZOOM ONLY
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Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to Join
Zoom Services
Saturday morning
January 29, 2022
Services
9:00 AM
ZOOM ONLY
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to Join
Zoom Services
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BABY NAMING
of
Daisy Elizabeth
daughter
of Rachel Freedland MacConnell
&
Scott MacConnell
Granddaughter
of long time member, Donna Freedland
Torah Reading:
Parashat Mishpatim
Exodus 21:1-24:18
Here is the Reading
Haftorah
Jeremiah 34:8-22, 33:25-26
Here is the Haftorah
Torah Study following services at 11:45
Saturday evening
6:00 PM
NEW TIME
Havdallah
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services
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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"Kol Nashim": A Woman’s Look at Torah and Tefillah
An Exciting WAX Series
Lead by dynamic Jewish educators, together we will study Torah and Tefillah from a woman’s point of view. Our faculty includes: Hazzan Sara Geller, Dr. Deborah Miller, Dana Newborn, Sheri Jay and Marlene Herman
OUR FIRST PROGRAM
Wednesday, Feb. 2th 11:30 AM on ZOOM
"Images of Hagar--Text and Art"
led by Dr. Deborah D. Miller
Exploring stories in the Torah is most engaging when we, ourselves, interpret the text. And when we hear the interpretations of our friends, it’s even better. But if we look at how artists over the centuries have interpreted the stories through their art, and then interpret THEIR interpretations, we discover depths that might otherwise be unnoticed. In this session on HAGAR, the second wife of Abraham, we will look at two stories in the Torah that let us view her relationship with Abraham and Sarah, with her son, Yishmael, and with God. We will look at just a few of the dozens of pieces of art that suggest dimensions of the story that we might have missed.
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Meet our Distinguished Presenter:
Debby is the former Associate Director of the Melton Research Center for Jewish Education. She taught educators, rabbis and cantors “Methods of Teaching Prayer” and “Methods of Teaching Bible” at JTS. Debby was the founding Project Director and Editor of MaToK, the Bible curriculum for day schools.
Before coming to JTS, Debby headed the Solomon Schechter Day School of Raritan Valley. Her first day school positions were teaching at what is now Golda Och Academy. She has also worked in congregational school and informal settings. She does outreach work for Tivnu: Building Justice, a gap year program in Portland, Oregon.
Debby is the author of five Jewish children’s books, including Only Nine Chairs: A Tall Tale for Passover, (Kar-Ben) a PJ book selection, and My Siddur, published by Behrman House.
Debby is a deliriously happy member of Congregation Agudath Israel in Caldwell, NJ, which is how she knows Rabbi Jay and Sherri. Debby’s biggest claim to fame is that she is the mother of Arielle and Adinah, and
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FUTURE KOL NASHIM PROGRAMS
Thursday, March 3 at 7:45 PM - "Who Wrote the Book of Esther? John Stewart? Jane Austen?" led by Hazzan Sara Geller
Friday, April 1 at 10:00 PM
"Celebrating Rosh Chodesh with Music, Crafts and Blessings"
led by Marlene Herman
Monday, May 2 at 10:30 AM
"Studying Parshah Kedoshim Together"
led by Dara Newborn
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THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES
SUNDAY 1/30
8:00 PM
Lainie Kazan
Up Close and Personal
Registratiom Required
MONDAY 1/31
10:00 AM
Hartman Institute Seminar
"Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism"
with Rabbi Jay
WEDNESDAY 2/2
11:30 AM
Kol Nashim Program
"Images of Hagar--Text and Art"
with Debby Miller
following Ma'ariv
7:45 PM
Studying the weekly portions
with Rabbi Jay based on the book
"Judaism’s Life-Changing Ideas"
by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
THURSDAY 2/3
11:00 AM Torah Study with the Rabbi
2:00 PM Beginning Hebrew with Ira
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Sunday, 1/30
LANIE KAZAN CONCERT
"Up Close and Personal
8:00 PM
ZOOM
Zoom log-in will be sent prior to the concert
Last date to register: Friday, Jan. 28, 2022
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Wednesday, 2/2
KOL NASHIM SERIES
PART 1
11:30 AM
Friday, 2/4
SHABBAT DINNER
6:00 PM
Sunday 2/6
ARE YOU PREPARED?
WAX PROGRAM
1:00 PM
Wednesday, 2/23
WAX BOOK DISCUSSION
4:00 PM
Sunday, 2/27
SARAH AROESTE LADINO MUSIC FROM YESTERDAY TO TODAY
5:00 PM
(more informatio to follow)
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FRIDAY Night Shabbat Dinner (ZOOM)
February 4, 2022
Services at 6:00 PM
and dinner following. We will Schmooze, sing, pray, Schmooze, learn, eat, and Schmooze some more! Dinner following candle lighting and kaddish in your own private chat room with friends or new friends.
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JCC WOMENS AUXILIARY: BOOK GROUP DISCUSSION
WEDNESDAYS AT 4:00 PM
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Thank you to Arlene Schragger for leading a most interesting discussion of the "Last Kings of Shanghai" last Wednesday afternoon.
"Jerusalem Maiden" by Talia Carner
The poignant, colorful, and unforgettable story of a young woman in early 20th-century Jerusalem who must choose between her faith and her passion, Jerusalem Maiden heralds the arrival of a magnificent new literary voice, Talia Carner. In the bestselling vein of The Red Tent, The Kite Runner, and A Thousand Splendid Suns, Jerusalem Maiden brilliantly evokes the sights and sounds of the Middle East during the final days of the Ottoman Empire. Historical fiction and Bible lovers will be captivated by this thrilling tale of a young Jewish woman during a fascinating era, her inner struggle with breaking the Second Commandment, and her ultimate transcendence through self-discovery.
Future books
Wednesday, March 23rd at 4:00 pm
Discussion Leader: Rose Valentine
"The Forest of Vanishing Stars" by Kristin Harmel
Wednesday, April 27th at 4:00 pm
Discussion Leader: Nora Hochman
"Hotel Moscow" by Talia Carner
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Also in stock - Mezuzah Scrolls |
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Marlene Harelick
Bette Kender*
Louise Newman
Saul Block
Sigmund Donin
Alyssa Miriam Alhadeff
William “Billy” Petersohn
Florence Morris Piscetelli
Shirley M. Racusin*
Sam Fine
Joseph Lenkowsky
Esther Litvin
Louise Paul
Louis Rose
Rose Rosenweig
Madeline Goldberg
Belle Saferstein
Arlene Babst
Rachel Bendavid
Nancy Brill
Esther Hirsch
Fay Schragger
Melvin Denholtz
Max Gottlieb*
Jeffrey Scott Gross
Bella Karp
Eleanor Marcus
Hilda Rosenberg
Belle Yudman
*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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Stanley Berman
January 31
Arlene Schragger
February 1
Herbert Feinberg
February 2
Jeffrey Greenbaum
February 2
Paul Levine
February 4
Stephen Scharf
February 4
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Allen & Lenore Lox
January 31
57th Anniversary
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SHARE YOUR NEWS
AND PICTURES
CONTACT:
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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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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2022 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Membership renewal letters were sent out last week. 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 communicatios and have not yet joined our congregation, here the a new member form:
To pay on line
Fill in your information and then
go to Donation Details - then
Other and type in 2022 Membership
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JCC FUNDS
Your gift to the JCC support 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 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 TUESDAY AD THURSDAYS
FROM 10 - 2
CONTINUE TO USE THE PHONE OR EMAIL WITH REQUESTS.
OUR OFFICE STAFF WILL BE CHECKING IN REGULARLY.
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Staff:
Leslie Dinkfelt, Office Manager
Mary Beth Krieger, Staff Member
Kitchen Manager: Susan Berube
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LATEST
BULLETIN:
PRAYER BOOK:
WEB SITE:
PAVERS:
TREE OF LIFE
YAHRZEIT PLAQUE FORM:
KOL HAKAVOD DONATION FORM
KOL HAKAVOD
TRIBUTES:
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Rabbi Michael S. Jay
Michael Babst, President
E-mail Editor: Rose Valentine
Graphics by
Irene Babst
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