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JEWISH COMMUNITY
CENTER OF
LONG BEACH ISLAND
E-LETTER
November 29, 2024
28 Cheshvan 5785
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A TORAH MESSAGE
FROM THE RABBI
Look for a Thanksgiving message from me later today. While the world often seems on the brink of a something every few minutes, we have much to be thankful for.
With the holiday tomorrow, I am sure that we’ve all got a lot going on. So, nu? Who has time to read the Rabbi’s message. Because I care for each of you deeply, I am keeping this message short.
In this week’s Parasha, Toldot. I am sure that most of you are familiar with the basic story. Rebecca, concerned that Isaac is about to give his blessing to Esau, sends Jacob in, pretending to be Esau. The plan works, and Jacob receives the blessing. The problems this caused were immediate and had lasting impact. Much has been written about this. If anyone has thoughts or questions, please feel free to reach out to me.
I want to focus on one line. As Jacob is about to deceive Isaac, he enters Isaac’s tent. Isaac, who is visually impaired, says: מִ֥י אַתָּ֖ה בְּנִֽי, “Who are you, my son?”.
It seems like an innocent question. Isaac cannot see, and he calls out, “Who is there?” But here is the problem. We know that Isaac is a prophet with a connection to God. Was he really blind to the situation?
What if Isaac was not simply asking “who” was there? What if he was really asking Jacob a deeper question? Perhaps, knowing what was going on, Isaac was warning Jacob. If this were the case, then the word “who” was not a general question of “who was the person in front of him”, but a much more intense question asking him who he was in his soul.
Maybe the father was telling his favored son, are you sure you want to go down this path. Is it possible that Isaac was really asking Jacob if this was who he wanted to be, and how he wanted to be remembered? If this is the case, then one must consider why Isaac did not press the issue. Let me know what you think?
Parents often see, and understand, things that children, and grandchildren cannot. Torah is not just a story or book of laws. It begs us to read it and to use the information provided to make ourselves, and those we love, and those we teach, and those we lead, and those we meet, better.
I am thankful for Torah.
Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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Candle Lighting Time
(Southern Ocean County)
Shabbat Eve
Friday. November 29, 2024
4:17 PM
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Friday, November 29, 2024
7:30 PM
ON ZOOM ONLY
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join Services
on Zoom
FRIDAY NIGHT
Saturday, November 30, 2024
9:00 AM
ON ZOOM ONLY
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
SHABBAT
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TORAH READING
Torah Portion: Toldot
Genesis 25:19-28:9
Toldot (“Generations”) opens with the births of Isaac and Rebecca’s twins, Jacob and Esau. Esau sells his birthright to Jacob in exchange for soup. Isaac and Rebecca travel to Gerar, where Isaac makes a peace treaty with King Abimelech. Isaac gives Jacob the blessing meant for Esau, and Jacob runs away to his uncle Laban.
Here is Parshah
HAFTORAH
I Samuel 20:18-42
This is read as a haftorah for Toldot on Shabbat Rosh Chodesh It tells the story of Jonathan, the eldest son of King Saul, and his friendship with David,
the future king.
Here is the Haftorah
WEEKDAY SERVICES
NO SERVICES THANKSGIVING DAY
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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PRAY, STAY AND PLAY.....
Last Sundays combined minyan, bagels and pickleball was a great success. We hope to to do this once a month. Look for the dates soon.
PROGRAM LINKS
Here is the link for last week's PJP Danny Kaye program. CLICK HERE
Passcode: wG2^x6#@
NOTE: Apologies to those who tried to get on for the program but there was a limit of 100 screens. For the Joan Rivers and Sid Caesare programs this will be corrected.
Here is the link for the PJP program "Between Arabic and Hebrew: Mizrahi Culture in Israel" with Yuval Ivri. CLICK HERE
Passcode: H1zi7.Mv
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ITS OFFICIAL
The JCC section at Crescent Memorial Park is available for sales. Please contact Bonni Rubin-Sugarman at 609-417-7148.
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DECEMBER SHABBAT DINNER
December 6 at 6:30 PM
Sponsored by Harold Farin in honor of his 90th Birthday
Contact the JCC office to make your reservation
609-492-4090
jccoflbi@gmail.com
MENU
Salmon
Noodle Pudding
Claremont Salad
Desserts
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HERE IS THE STORY OF THE CLAREMONT/WEEQUAHIC SALAD
This was a popular salad in North Jersey in the 60's and 70's. The recipe supposedly comes from the legendary Weequahic Diner in Newark, New Jersey. The owners of the Weequahic, the Baumans, later operated the Claremont Diner in Verona.
At both diners, complimentary bowls of this salad were offered to customers when they were first seated. From the late thirties through the early sixties, the Weequahic Diner was a vital part of the scene in the Jewish section of Newark known as Weequahic. The Claremont stayed in business until fairly recently.
After the original Verona location burned down in a fire, the diner was relocated to Clifton were it survived long enough to be featured in an episode of The Sopranos before being torn down to make way for an auto dealership.
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RECIPE TO FOLLOW NEXT WEEK.
ALL STORIES ABOUT THE SALAD AND THE DINERS ARE WELCOME.
Send to rvalen1963@aol.com
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SUNDAY, December 1
Pickleball (see times below)
*****
TUESDAY, December 3
Pickleball (See times below)
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WEDNESDAY, December 4
Canasta & Mah Jongg
12:30 PM
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THURSDAY, December 5
Torah Study
11:00 AM
Davening Class
After 7:30 PM Minyan
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FRIDAY, December 6
Studying the Prophets
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Friday , December 6
Shabbat Dinner
6:30 PM
Sponsored by Harold Farin
in honor of his 90th Birthday
Sunday, December 8
PJP Travel Program
Jewish Yemen
1:00 PM
Thursday, December 12
PJP Israel Program
Political Dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
8:30 PM
Wednesday, December 18
WAX Book Club
4:00 PM
Thursday, December 19
PJP John Kendrick Series
Joan Rivers
8:30 PM
Friday, December 20
WAX Brunch at Kubels
11:30 AM
Thursday, December 31
New Year’s Eve Party at the JCC
8:30 PM
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Pickleball for members only
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays
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MAH JONGG & CANASTA
WEDNESDAYS
12:30 PM TO 4:00 PM
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JCC WOMEN’S AUXILIARY: BOOK GROUP DISCUSSION
WEDNESDAYS AT 4:00 PM
NEXT BOOK REVIEW MEETING
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NEXT BOOK REVIEW MEETING
Wednesday, December 18th at 4:00 pm
Discussion Leader: TBA
Sacred Trash: The Lost and Found World of the Cairo Geniza
By: Adina Hoffman and Peter Cole
One May day in 1896, at a dining-room table in Cambridge, England, a meeting took place
between a Romanian-born maverick Jewish intellectual and twin learned Presbyterian
Scotswomen, who had assembled to inspect several pieces of rag paper and parchment. It was the unlikely start to what would prove a remarkable, continent-hopping, century-crossing saga, and one that in many ways has revolutionized our sense of what it means to lead a Jewish life.
In Sacred Trash, MacArthur-winning poet and translator Peter Cole and acclaimed essayist Adina Hoffman tell the story of the retrieval from an Egyptian genizah, or repository for worn-out texts, of the most vital cache of Jewish manuscripts ever discovered. This tale of buried scholarly treasure weaves together unforgettable portraits of Solomon Schechter and the other heroes of this drama with explorations of the medieval documents themselves—letters and poems, wills and marriage contracts, Bibles, money orders, fiery dissenting tracts, fashion-conscious trousseaux lists, prescriptions, petitions, and mysterious magical charms. Presenting a panoramic view of nine hundred years of vibrant Mediterranean Judaism, Hoffman and Cole bring modern readers into the heart of this little-known trove, whose contents have rightly been dubbed “the Living Sea Scrolls.” Part biography and part meditation on the supreme value the Jewish people has long placed on the written word, Sacred Trash is above all a gripping tale of adventure and redemption.
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PJP PROGRAMS
As part of the PJP consortium the JCC is privy to many outstanding programs.
Travel around the world to Jewish neighborhoods...Study the ever complex dynamics of Eretz Yisrael...Enjoy stories of famous Jewish commedians,,,,
Zoom link will be published prior to each program....
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We are very excited to add to the WAX Gift Shop items from local merchants and artisans. Stop in to look and buy one (or more) of these beautiful pieces for your home, as a gift or just for yourself. Here is a sample of some of our new products. The gift shop is open during office hours M-F 10 - 2.
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Lavina Haven Soy Candles and
Essential Oil Soaps
| Resin Bowls and Candlesticks by Seacrest Designs | |
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The following names will be read by the Rabbi on Friday evening:
Siegfried Brenman
Sol Karpman
Max Kincus
Ellis Levin*
Evelyn Smith
Rebecca Josolowitz
Philip Josolowitz
Wilbur Hait
Helen Pripstein*
Anne Reiser*
Arlene Britz*
Harriet Cohen
Julius Cohen
Fay Dreyfus*
Lenore Enteles
Florence Leistner
Ben Berkowitz
Joseph Kaplan
Ira Lee Herman*
Frank Mirrer*
Henry Avondoglio*
Rebecca Cohen
Dr. Milton Lowenthal
Julius Pashman
We encourage you to join us on the day of your loved one’s yahrzeit. You are also welcome to share with the minyan some special memories of your loved one.
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David Horowitz
November 30
Michael Piscetelli
November 30
John Hailperin
December 3
Joel E. Leizer
December 3
Lee Ruvinsky
December 4
Karmela Moneta
December 5
Debra Traster
December 5
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Stanley & Lynn Berman
December 1
39th Anniversary
Carol & Adolph Sicheri
December 3
35th Anniversary
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Sharon & David Hendler
November 25
40th Anniversary
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MAZEL TOV
TO
BOBBIE KAPLAN
on the bar mitzvah of her grandson
CHARLIE KAPLAN
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SHARE YOUR NEWS
AND PICTURES
CONTACT:
rvalen1963@aol.com
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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.
LYPlease 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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THE MACCABEATS ARE PERFORMING AT STOCKTON UNIVERSITY
The Maccabeats’ unique offering has caught the eyes of numerous organizations and inviduals throughout the world. They’ve played sold-out shows to thousands at JCCs, temples, synagogues, shuls, Chabads, Hillels, jazz clubs, festivals, conventions, and theaters across five continents and over thirty states and provinces. They’ve been invited to join reggae superstar Matisyahu and Jewish music superstar Yaakov Shwekey on stage. They’ve been invited to Gracie Mansion by NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg. And they’ve been invited to the White House by US President Barack Obama. Over the course of time, their adventures and opportunities imparted upon the Maccabeats an important lesson: with great a cappella comes great responsibility. It is with much humility and gratitude that the group take up the mission given to them, and share their music with the world
Stockton Performing Arts Center
Sunday, Dec 8, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Senior Tickets $23 per person
FOR TICKETS CLICK HERE
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YOU CAN NOW FILL OUT A GIVING FORM AND PAY ON LINE IN ONE SIMPLE PROCESS.
Go to jccoflbi.org - Giving/Pay
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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 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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2024 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- Jon Geier
Treasurer- Stu Cofsky
Secretary- Cliff Denker
Immediate Past President -Michael Babst
BOARD MEMBERS
Howard Babbitt
Diane Buskirk
Lorna Klein
Paul Levine
Ken Podos
Sondi Pripstein
Terri Robinovitz
Bonni Rubin-Sugarman
Rose Valentine
Ken Yudman
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
Representative to the Board - Sondi Pripstein
Rabbi Michael S. Jay, Spiritual Leader
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