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JEWISH COMMUNITY
CENTER OF
LONG BEACH ISLAND
E-LETTER
November 3, 2023
19 Chevan 5784
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FOR THE BEST VIEWING OF THE SHABBAT REMINDER,
CLICK HERE
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The JCC is participating in the Blue Ribbons for Israel Campaign. Ribbons are available at the JCC.
Wearing the ribbon is a gesture of solidarity with the hostages and the people of Israel. The campaign's goal is to keep the hostages' plight in the public consciousness and maintain international support for their safe return.
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THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE COLLECTION
OF ITEMS FOR THE IDF
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Parashat Vayeira
Read to the end to see a new Zoom class starting Wednesday evening, November 15th.
I am mindful of a connection between this week’s Torah portion, Vayeira, and current events.
Therein, God see’s that the sin and outrage of Sodom and Gomorrah is so great that God tells Abraham of God’s plan to destroy both cities.
Upon hearing the news, Abraham decides to argue with God about the Deity’s decision. Abraham questions whether God will destroy the righteous together with the wicked. Ultimately, God cannot find even 10 innocent people in either Sodom or Gomorrah and the cities are destroyed.
Is Gaza like Sodom and Gomorrah? Are its actions so outrageous that it does not deserve to be saved? Are there not 10 innocent people on whose behalf the strip can be saved?
Only God knows the answers to these questions. Still, we are Jews, and we pray for the safety and well-being of all innocent people; and we pray for the souls of any innocent people who may have been killed as Israel takes unfortunate, but necessary, steps to protect itself.
At the same time, my heart is heavy, heavy, heavy with the news of the deaths of so many of our brave Israeli soldiers who are fighting to protect Israel and Jews everywhere.
As I have been pondering the “innocent” people question posed by Abraham, I am reminded of the story of Jonah. The prophet goes to Nineveh to proclaim that God will be destroying the city. The response of the Ninevites is fascinating. They put on sackcloth (even the animals), and they fasted for 3 days. Their contrition is seen by God and God revokes the sentence.
Has anyone in Gaza shown contrition? While I have seen no proof of this on the news, only God knows the answer. One thing I do know is, that since 1948, we Jews have been saying to the Palestinians: “Show contrition, show acceptance of Israel, and drop your weapons, and we can live in peace.” To date the Palestinians have refused to do this. Unfortunately, we know only too well what will happen if we drop our weapons first.
Because we know the winds of world opinion are quickly shifting against Israel, we need to be the best emissaries we can be. This starts with educating ourselves about the conflict writ large.
I am going to start this process by having an extended book group over several weeks studying Alan Dershowitz’ book “The Case For Israel”. Therein, Professor Dershowitz presents 32 common arguments against Israel and then refutes them. This class will be on Wednesday evenings after minyan which begins at 7:30. As always, I will provide pdfs for each Zoom class, but I would prefer that you purchase the book.
Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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Candle Lighting time
Friday evening
November 3, 2023
5:34 pm
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JOIN US FOR
SERVICES
At this time, the front doors to the JCC will remain locked during services. Please ring the bell which says after office hours and an usher will let you in. If you have a fob you can use that to enter. Do not use your key
Friday, November 3, 2023
at 7:30 PM
IN PERSON & ON ZOOM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
FRIDAY NIGHT
Saturday, November 4, 2023
9:00 AM
IN PERSON AND ON ZOOM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
SHABBAT
TORAH READING
Parashat Vayera 5784
Genesis 18:1-22:24
Here is the Parshah
Vayera (“He Appeared”) opens as guests inform Abraham that Sarah will give birth. Despite Abraham’s attempts to convince God otherwise, God destroys the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Sarah gives birth to Isaac, and Abraham sends away Hagar and Ishmael. At God’s command, Abraham prepares to sacrifice Isaac, but an angel of God tells Abraham to offer a ram instead.
HAFTORAH
II Kings 4:1-37
Here is the Haftorah
HAVDALLAH
6:30 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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IF YOU MISSED THE PJP PROGRAM LAST WEEK ON THE YOM KIPPUR WAR, HERE IS THE RECORDED PROGRAM | |
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Last Thursday night, Rabbi Jay led a Healing Service for our members to say prayers for Israel and to express their concerns about what is happening in Israel and here in the US especially on our college campuses. Rabbi is available to anyone who wants to chat. | |
JEWISH FEDERATION BRINGS MOVIES TO THE JCC OF LBI | |
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"The Converts"
Sunday, November 5 at 7:00 PM
AT THE JCC
SEE BUTTON BELOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS
TICKETS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR
Follow in the footsteps of faith seekers who are on a mission to find their connection to Judaism. All are searching for identity and connection. By following their conversion process, we meet their teachers, families and are vicariously exposed to Judaism's rich customs and traditions.
Diana from Costa Rica found out about her Spanish-Portuguese Jewish roots from a high school genealogy project. Adam from Toronto was raised as a Pentecostal Christian but started questioning his beliefs as a teenager. Bianka from Warsaw wanted community and an intellectual approach to spirituality.
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THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5
NO Pickleball
Federation Movie at the JCC
"The Converts"
7:00 PM
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TUESDAY, November 7
Pickleball
3:00 PM Beginners Session
4:00 PM Regular Play
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Canasta & Mah Jongg
12:30 PM
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Pickleball
10:00 AM
Torah Study with the Rabbi
11:00 AM
INTERMEDIATE HEBREW CLASS WITH IRA
2:00 PM
Contact Ira for more information
inaira213@gmail.com
Stu's Class on the
Shabbat Morning Service
7:30 PM
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PICKLEBALL
CANCELLED THIS SUNDAY
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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Federation Movie at the JCC
"The Converts"
Sunday, November 5 at 7:00 PM
Stu's Class on the
Shabbat Morning Service
Thursday, November 9, 2023
7:30 PM
WAX Book Group
Wednesday, November 15
4:00 PM
Rabbi Jay's Class
“The Case For Israel”
Beginning Wednesday, November 15
7:30 PM
Stu's Class on the
Shabbat Morning Service
Thursday, November 16, 2023
7:30 PM
PJP Travel Program
“Jewish Cuba”
Sunday November 19 @ 1:00 PM
Federation Movie at the JCC
Hummus Full Trailer
Sunday, November 19 at 7:00 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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Wednesday, November 15th at 4:00 pm
Discussion Leader: TBA
Code Name Sapphire
By: Pam Jenoff
1942. Hannah Martel has narrowly escaped Nazi Germany after her fiancé was killed in a pogrom. When her ship bound for America is turned away at port, she has nowhere to go but to her cousin Lily, who lives with her family in Brussels. Fearful for her life, Hannah is desperate to get out of occupied Europe. But with no safe way to leave, she must return to the dangerous underground work she thought she had left behind.
Seeking help, Hannah joins the Sapphire Line, a secret resistance network led by a mysterious woman named Micheline and her enigmatic brother Matteo. But when a grave mistake causes Lily’s family to be arrested and slated for deportation to Auschwitz, Hannah finds herself torn between her loyalties. How much is Hannah willing to sacrifice to save the people she loves?
December book:
Wednesday, December 20th at 4:00 pm
The Women of Rothschild: The Untold Story of the World’s Most Famous Dynasty
By: Natalie Livingstone
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NEW PROGRAMS WITH PJP
Thanks to our membership in the PJP we were able to enjoy a variety of programs last year. Here are the new programming lists. We will send out a Reminder and Link prior to each event. No need to register in advance.
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PJP Series "What Jews Think”
2023-2024
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PJP Travel Programs
2023-2024
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LAST CALL FOR PAVER ORDERS | |
If you would like to order a paver for this 2023 installation, please fill out the form ( click below ) and return it to the JCC office with payment. | |
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The following names will be read by the Rabbi on Friday evening:
Ada G. Bass*
Bertrand Berman
Joseph Levin
Bess Silver
Laura Ziegeler
Claire Gottlin
Sidney Lichtenstein
George Medvin
Gilbert Tebeleff
Helene Geier
Martin Samwick
Elaine Cameron
Susan Goldsmith Ossanna
Alex Hirsch
David Plotkin
Joseph Sherman
Max Silver
Manuel Smith*
Rhea Britz*
Gladys Krechovitz*
Abraham Lazar
Evelyn B. Sholin
Paul Starr
Jerome Szanger*
Harold Eiser
Mildred Greenwald*
Ernst Halpern
Yetta Houzman
Isadore Isaac Levy
Glen Medvin*
Claire Seavey
Irving Shapiro
Eli Starr, MD
Sophie Ehrlich
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Dale Hartman
November 4
Dana Ranani
November 4
Stacey Vreeland
November 6
Peter Smith
November 7
Harold Farin
November 10
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Steven & Dale Harman
November 8
42nd Anniversary
Gerard & Robin Genna
November 9
33rd Anniversary
John & Sharon Spina
November 10
37th Anniversary
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Martin Flumenbaum & Ruth Hochberger
On the birth of their granddaughter
Emily Charlotte Conrad
born on Yom Kippur, Sept. 25th to Judy Flumenbaum & Jonathan Conrad
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MEET THE SOUP TROOP: Noralyn Carroll, Irene Babst and new member Robin Jenna. 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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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.
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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FROM OUR CONTRIBUTOR TO THE SHABBAT REMINDER, SHEILA WEISEL
Did you know that “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” was written, not about the mythical Land of Oz, but about Israel, the homeland of the Jews
The lyrics were written by Yip Harburg, the youngest of four children born to Russian-Jewish immigrants. His real name was Isidore Hochberg, and he grew up in a Yiddish-speaking, Orthodox Jewish home in New York.
The song's music was written by Harold Arlen, also a cantor's son. His real name was Hyman Arluck, and his parents were from Lithuania. Together, Hochberg and Arluck wrote "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," which was voted the 20th century's No.1 song by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts.
In writing it, the two men reached deep into their immigrant Jewish consciousness framed by the pogroms of the past and the Holocaust about to happen and wrote an unforgettable melody set to near prophetic words. "And the dreams that you dare to dream / Really do come true."
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The Long Beach Island Foundation
of the Arts + Sciences
HOLIDAY MARKET
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November 18 - December 3
M-F 10:00am - 4:00pm; Sat + Sun 10:00am - 3:00pm
Showcasing handmade work in all mediums and price points. From amazing clothing and jewelry to ceramics, paintings, home décor and more!
Food and Drink available for purchase
FREE ENTRY + OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
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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
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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