Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island E-Letter
February 4, 2022
3 Adar 1 5782
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A TORAH MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
In Pesikta Rabbatai (44:9), a collection of stories for special days on the Jewish calendar, we read about a prince who is far away from his father – A hundred-day journey away. His friends say to him, “Return to your father.” The prince replies, “I do not have the strength.” His father sends word for him saying, “Come as far as you are able, and I will travel the rest of the way to meet you.” So the Holy One, blessed be God, says to Israel, “Turn back to Me, and I will turn back to you.” (Malachi 3:7)
The story is used to teach about “teshuvah” and “repentance” on the High Holy Days. However, it also serves as a great illustration of why God has the Israelites build the Mishkan as told in Parashat Terumah. In the Torah portion, God tells the Israelites, through Moses, “Build me a sanctuary so that I may dwell among you.” God is really saying to them, “If you build me a dwelling, if you meet me halfway, I will come to you.”
It is a powerful statement. God is telling the Israelites, “I want to be with you, and I will be with you, but you need to take action first.”
It is a good parenting, mentoring, or employment lesson. Rather than just giving something to a child, mentee, or employee, give them a task to complete in order to receive what you want to give.
The parent-child, mentor-mentee, employer-employee each benefit when they share responsibility. It may not be easy for the child/mentee/employee to perform the task requested, but it also might not be easy for the parent/mentor/employer to step back and allow the child/mentee/employee to do what needs to be done.
Meeting halfway permits each party to take ownership of some of the task and may provide the basis for a healthy relationship going forward.
God wants us to be a Holy nation and a light to the other nations of the world. If we build the candle God will help to ignite the flame.
At Kabbalat Shabbat services I will be talking about the insidious nature of the Amnesty International that was just filed, and the Whoopi Goldberg’s egregious misstep on the issue of the Holocaust. I look forward to seeing you at that time.
Shabbat Shalom- Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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We are thrilled to announce
that Stu Lehrer has taken on two important responsibilities for the Jcc.
First Stu, has begun to teach in our fledgling Hebrew School. This is a great fit because Stu has been an extremely accomplished Jewish professional and educator for many, many years. He will help to nurture both the students and the school as the JCC revitalizes youth education and engagement.
Secondly, but equally important, Stu has graciously agreed to be the chair of the Ritual Committee. As a regular davener, Sheliach Tzibbur (Prayer leader), Shofar blower, Haftarah chanter, etc., etc., Stu is well-suited for this portfolio. In there brief time with the JCC, both Stu and Eve (whose beautiful davening has brightened many of our services), have become indispensable members and chevre menschen, adding warmth and kindness to the JCC community.
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Candle lighting Time
Friday evening,
February 4, 2022
5:02 PM
So. Ocean County
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JOIN US FOR
SERVICES
AND
DINNER
Friday evening
February 4, 2022
6:00 PM
ZOOM ONLY
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Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to Join
Zoom Services
Saturday morning
February 5, 2022
Services
9:00 AM
ZOOM ONLY
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to Join
Zoom Services
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Torah Reading:
Parashat Terumah
Exodus 25:1-27:19
Here is the Reading
Parashat Terumah tells of God's instructions to make the Tabernacle and its furnishings
Haftorah
I Kings 5:26-6:13
Here is the Haftorah
Torah Study following services at 11:45
Saturday evening
6:00 PM
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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THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES
FRIDAY 2/4
6:00
Shabbat Dinner
SUNDAY 2/6
WAX Program
Be Prepared
MONDAY 2/7
10:00 AM
Hartman Institute Seminar
"Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism"
with Rabbi Jay
WEDNESDAY 2/9
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 2/10
11:00 AM Torah Study with the Rabbi
2:00 PM Beginning Hebrew with Ira
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LAINIE KAZAN
Sunday evening, the JCC joined over 400 households throughout the country for an evening with Lainie Kazan. We look forward for additional programs with this consortium. See details about the next event with Ladino songstress Sara Aeroste.
KOL NASHIM
"One of the redeeming features of the pandemic and resultant zoom phenomena is that it opened up avenues of learning I never even imagined like the WAX program about Hagar this past week" DH
"I learned so much from the WAX program yesterday about Hagar and Sarah. I am new to Torah study. So glad I joined the class." SH
"Thank you for starting this new way of looking At the Torah thru Art." IM
We are thrilled with the success of our first program in the WAX Series - Kol Nashim: A Woman’s Look at Torah and Tefillah. Wednesday morning, those who joined Dr. Deborah Miller were so engaged with her fabulous presentation. Along with Torah text we were asked to visualize the scenes that took place and then saw pieces of art depicting those Torah scenes. Many thanks to Debby for sharing her wonderful teaching talents and to the 32 households who came onboard. We look forward to our next program with Hazzan Sara Geller on March 3rd.
If you missed the program or came on late, you can view it on our web site. Just press the button below
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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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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday, 2/4
SHABBAT DINNER
6:00 PM
Sunday 2/6
ARE YOU PREPARED?
WAX PROGRAM
1:00 PM
Thursday, 2/17
CAN WE TALK
"A Civic Toolkit for Troubled Times"
WAX PROGRAM
following Ma'ariv Evening Services
Chris Satullo from University of Pennsylvania will be zooming with us to discuss the importance of getting along with others, cues to develop good listening and speaking skills to enable each of us to better get along with others. It is hard to actively listen and speak with understanding and respect.
Wednesday, 2/23
WAX BOOK DISCUSSION
4:00 PM
Sunday, 2/27
SARAH AROESTE LADINO MUSIC FROM YESTERDAY TO TODAY
5:00 PM
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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 SECOND PROGRAM
Thursday, March 3rd at 7:45 PM on ZOOM
"Who Wrote the Book of Esther? John Stewart? Jane Austen?"
with Hazzan Sara Geller
Let's look at the details that make this Book of the Bible such a timeless -- and humorous -- story. Like any good book club discussion, reading the book beforehand is helpful but not necessary.
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Meet our Presenter: Cantor Sara Geller
Cantor Geller has been the high-holidays cantor for JCC-LBI for two seasons. Prior to that she served B'nai Shalom of Olney, MD for 18 years. She currently chairs the Seaboard Region for the Cantors Assembly. Sara lived in the Boston area for many years and served two Conservative synagogues there. In addition to practicing piano and singing, Sara enjoys reading academic papers about many Jewish and music topics.
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JCC WOMENS AUXILIARY: BOOK GROUP DISCUSSION
WEDNESDAYS AT 4:00 PM
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"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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Ladino Music from Yesterday to Today
A Virtual Presentatlion by
Sarah Aroeste
Sunday, February 27 at 5:00 PM
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Come along on a virtual journey as we learn about Ladino culture and history with this talented singer, songwriter, educator and storyteller, Sarah Aroeste.
Inspired by her family's Sephardic roots in Macedonia and Greece, Sarah has spent the last two decades bringing her contemporary style of original and traditional Ladino music to audiences around the world.
She works tirelessly to keep Ladino music alive for a new generation. Her musical style combines traditional Mediterranean Sephardic sounds with contemporary influences such as rock, pop, and jazz. To date, she has released seven recordings, most recently an all-Ladino Hanukkah CD, Hanuká (2021). SARAHAROESTE
Through her artful performance of music, Sarah will show you how Ladino culture has existed and transformed from the 15th century until today. It is sure to be a meaningful and joyful way to spend your late afternoon.
This is a free event for JCC members. For non-members, tickets are $18.00 per zoom link.
Questions? Please email Jill at jill.denker@hotmail.com
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Also in stock - Mezuzah Scrolls |
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The following names will be read by the Rabbi on Friday evening
Theodore Brod*
Harry Dudkin
Mildred Grossman
Lisa Ellen Kaufman*
Israel Koller
Aaron Lox
Regina Brenman
Gilda Cousins
Frank John Lamagna
Eric Moss
Moshe Neustadt*
Steven Fisch
Gussie Gross
Sam Wittenberg
Irvin Babbitt
Ethel Dalinsky
Irving Newman
Gloria Cohen
H. Leonard Flam
Amanda Kanowitz*
Nellie Lehman
Solomon Schall
Bernard Herman*
Robert Lapidus
Florence Marmon
Ernest H. Morgenstern*
Dr. Elias Shapiro
Sylvia Kaplan
David Oxfeld
Samuel Weinberg
Belle Saferstein
*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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MAZEL TOV TO
HERB ZEMBLE
on the 70th anniversary
of his bar mitzvah
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Stacey Chazin
February 5
Steven Gondelman
February 5
Stephan Lang
February 5
Stephen Pyles
February 5
Cary Reimer
February 7
Carol Weissman
February 7
Lewis Becker
February 8
Rhonda Lang
February 8
Jay Eisner
February 9
Jerry Goldberg
February 9
Jay Leistner
February 9
Kim Braun
February 10
Sue Margulies
February 11
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Stephen & Phyllis Lishnoff
February 8
58th Anniversary
Philip & Beth Rosenzweig
February 9
33rd Anniversary
Joe & Carolyn Fleischer
February 10
54th 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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