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JEWISH COMMUNITY
CENTER OF
LONG BEACH ISLAND
E-LETTER
February 9, 2024
30 Shevat 5784
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FOR THE BEST VIEWING OF THE SHABBAT REMINDER,
CLICK HERE
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A MESSAGE FROM
OUR RABBI
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I am going to try to do this again.
Last week Elmo, the cute red puppet from Sesame Street, went on Twitter and asked the world, “How is everybody doing?” The question apparently drew some 30,000 responses which surprised Elmo (or at least it surprised the person whose hand controls Elmo.)
Some people answered honestly. Some said that “today is harder than yesterday”. Others shared that they were “treading water, afraid of what might come next”.
In short, the query drew a huge response, and the gist of those responses was that people felt that they were living in a broken world.
Elmo asked a simple question, and the world bombarded him with replies.
Apparently, people needed to hear the question and needed to feel as if someone heard their answers.
I believed that that there was an important message in the story, and that it had been so widely discussed that everyone must have known about it. So, in last week’s message, I, your humble Rabbi, feigned a visit from Rabbi Elmo, who posed the same question to you, my dear congregants, and readers: “How is everybody doing?”.
Rabbi Elmo and I waited for a cascade of email and/or text responses.
So, what was your response to Rabbi Elmo’s query?
BUPKIS. ZILCH. NADA. ZERO. SQUAT. NIX. ZIPPO. NUTTIN. EFFES.
(100 points if you tell me which is the Yiddish word in the list and 100 points if you tell me which is the Hebrew word.) (To be clear, the points you earn will entitle you to nothing tangible.) (The last parenthetical is what we refer to as a rabbinic/lawyer disclaimer.)
It’s one thing not to respond to your Rabbi’s question. Who listens to the Rabbi anyway? But how could anyone ignore Rabbi Elmo?!!
From its response to Elmo, the world clearly feels the immense tension that is bubbling over. I think it is safe to say that in the Jewish community we feel it much more intensely. So much of the negativity is directed at us. So much of the negativity is directed at our one, and only, homeland. The antisemitism is so intense, that the people doing it do not even feel the need to hide it anymore.
At a time like this the importance of asking, “How is everybody doing?”, cannot be overestimated. We need to keep asking it. We need to ask it with intention, looking in the eyes of the person to whom we are posing the question.
And we need to give them time to answer.
And we need to listen with intention to the answer.
We learn from the “Shema” that it is a mitzvah to listen. Not just to “listen”, but to “hear”.
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Rabbi Elmo says: “Ask with intention. Answer with intention. Listen with intention”.
Give it your AAL.
Elmo expressed concern for those around him. And the world responded. Rabbi Elmo is expressing his concern for you. Respond to Rabbi Elmo at 973-865-9534 or Mjayrab@gmail.com.
May we all be moved to reach out and check on others, and may we listen to their answers.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Elmo and Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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SHABBAT SHALOM
Shabbat Candle
Lighting time
Friday evening
February 9, 2024
5:07 PM
JOIN US FOR SERVICES
ON ZOOM ONLY THIS SHABBAT
ROSH CHODESH
ADAR I
Friday, February 9, 2024
6:30 PM
ON ZOOM ONLY
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Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
FRIDAY NIGHT
Saturday,
February 10, 2024
9:00 AM
ON ZOOM ONLY
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
SHABBAT
TORAH READING
Parashat Mishpatim
Exodus 21:1-24:18;
Numbers 28:9-15
Here is Parshah I
Here is Parshah II
Mishpatim (“Laws”) recounts a series of God’s laws that Moses gives to the Israelites. These include laws about treatment of slaves, damages, loans, returning lost property, the Sabbath, the sabbatical year, holidays, and destroying idolatry. The portion ends as Moses ascends Mount Sinai for 40 days.
HAFTORAH
Isaiah 66:1-24
Here is the Haftorah
HAVDALLAH
5:30 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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Ira Morgenthal is beginning a new Beginners Hebrew Class. He has one student signed up and is look for one more (or even more) person who would like to learn how to read Hebrew.
Give him a call if you are interested. 908-705-2576
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Our February Family Dinner was attended by folks of all ages. Thanks to the Geiers and Levines for hosting.
The highlight of the evening was the talk by Mark Chazin about his trip to Israel as a volunteer for JNF. He spend four memorable days working on farms, packing supplies for families and soldiers, visiting evacuees, taking part in community service, re-building, and more. Mark's presentation so inspired one of our members that she and her daughter are volunteering this May. For information about the program see THIS LINK
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THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Pickleball
10:00 AM
RABBI'S TALK
CANCELLED
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12
"Chosing Hope"
A NEW class with Rabbi Jay
10:00 AM
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Pickleball
3:00 PM
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Canasta & Mah Jongg
12:30 PM
Rabbi's Class
"The Case for Israel"
7:30 PM following minyan
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15
Pickleball
10:00 AM
Pottery Class at the Foundation
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
BY RESERVATION ONLY
Torah Study with the Rabbi
11:00 AM
Intermediate Hebrew with Ira
2:00 PM
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FRIDAY FEBRUARY 16
Studying the Prophets
9:00 - 9:20 AM
Learn Signing
10:00 AM
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PICKLEBALL
SUNDAY 10:00 AM
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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Pottery Class at the Foundation
Thursday, February 15
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Learn Signing
Fridays February 16
10:00 AM
Jewish Hollywood Series
"Those Were the Days"
Thursday, February 22
8:30 PM
WAX Bunch at LBI Table
Friday, February 23
11:00 AM
PJP Program
“Jewish Portugal”
Sunday, February 25
1:00 PM
PJP Program
Thursday, February 29
8:30 PM
“What is Judaism? –
The Dispute between Martin Buber and Franz Rosenzweig”
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CERAMIC WORKSHOP AT THE LBI FOUNDATION FOR ARTS AND SCIENCES
FOR JCC MEMBERS ONLY!
Participants will create a ceramic vase to be glazed and fired at the Foundation.
Thursday, February 15
10 AM - 1 PM
$45 per person plus $10 for the cost of materials.
Max 10 people per this class.
REGISTER WITH YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE AND EMAIL ALONG WITH A CHECK FOR $55 BY FEBRUARY 9 TO:
Daniella Kerner, Executive Director
The Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences
120 Long Beach Blvd., Loveladies, NJ 08008
CONTACT JILL DENKER AT 973-214-2767 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND TO LET HER KNOW YOU HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THE CLASS.
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LEARN SIGNING WITH
ANTHONY DEFRANCO
at the JCC
FRIDAYS
10:00 AM - 11:AM
*beginning February 2,
February 16, March1, March 15
Another program brought to you by the JCC Women's Auxiliary
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Thanks to our membership in the PJP we are able to enjoy a variety of programs. Here are the new programming lists. No need to register in advance. | |
PJP Series "What Jews Think”
2023-2024
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Thursday, February 29 @8:30 PM
Rabbi Dr. Haim Rechnitzer, Hebrew Union College
“What is Judaism? – The Dispute between Martin Buber and Franz Rosenzweig”
In 1923 Rosenzweig wrote an open letter to Martin Buber titled “Die Bauleute” (The Builders), a letter that later became a central part of Rosenzweig’s Jewish theological legacy. In “The Builders – Concerning the Jewish Law” Rosenzweig accuses Buber that despite liberating “us” from the shackles of 19th century academic objective engagement with “Judaism” and opening our minds and hearts to seek the “inner power” of the Jewish tradition, he failed to answer the crucial existential question “what are we to do?” That is, Buber’s answer left the question of Jewish praxis, of Halakhah, outside of the realm of possible answers. Buber, of course, did not leave the question of action in this world unanswered. He provided a non-halakhic answer, arguing that the “truth” of Judaism lies in its religiosity, not its manifestation as a religion, or as Law. Our session will be dedicated to the exploration of these two opposing concepts of “Judaism” and in fact, of the ever-present existential question of ““what are we (Jews) to do?”
Rabbi Dr. Haim O. Rechnitzer is a Professor of Jewish Thought at HUC-JIR in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a poet. He earned his doctorate from the Department of Jewish Thought at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and his rabbinical ordination from HUC-JIR (Jerusalem) in 2003. Rechnitzer’s research is dedicated to themes of political theology, theological trends in Hebrew poetry, Israeli theology, and Jewish education. His recent books are Prophecy and the Perfect Political Order: The Political Theology of Leo Strauss (Jerusalem: The Bialik Institute 2012), Songs of the Third Exile (Jerusalem: Carmel Publishing House, 2014), Shibolet (Vortex) (Jerusalem: Carmel Publishing House, 2014), and Pictures / Reproductions (Jerusalem: Carme & Yediot Aharonot, 2022). His forthcoming book is Ars-Prophetica: Theology in the Poetry of Twentieth-Century Israeli Poets Avraham Ḥalfi, Shin Shalom, Amir Gilboa, and T. Carmi(Cincinnati, HUC Press, 2023). He has published articles on the subject of political theology, philosophy of education, theology of Piyyut (religious hymns), and Hebrew poetry. Prior to joining the faculty of the CollegeInstitute, Rabbi Dr. Rechnitzer taught in Israel and was on the faculty of the Franklin and Marshall College, Department of Religious Studies.
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PJP Travel Programs
2023-2024
Sunday, February 25 @ 1:00 PM “Jewish Portugal” with Gloria Ribeiro
The Jewish heritage of Lisbon started in Roman times (if not before). This visit will allow you to understand the living Jewish community in Lisbon and learn about their history, their traditions and their everyday life. We will see the Sharee Tikva synagogue and refer to the massacre of Passover of 1506, for which a memorial was built by Jews and Catholics to express the reconciliation between religions. We will also walk virtually through Lisbon's historic downtown, where two of the Jewish quarters used to be located. The Alfama, the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon, still preserves the 8th century layout, and here, Jews, Christians and Muslims used to live and work side by side. For centuries after the expulsion, many "Conversos" kept practicing their faith in secrecy, and the most famous example are the Belmonte Jews, who until recently lived as an isolated community. We will also learn about the growing community of Porto, representing about 500 Jews from more than 30 countries. Glória Ribeiro finished her university degree on National Tourist Guiding, and became Portugal's official guide in five languages in 2004. She loves to show her people and their history to all her visitors, especially Portuguese Jewish history. She actually believes she has Jewish background herself.
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Join us for our 2nd 3-Part Series on Jewish Hollywood
Those Were the Days - Feb 22, 2024 - 8:30 PM
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The following names will be read by the Rabbi on Friday evening:
Madeline Goldberg
Belle Saferstein
Arlene Babst
Rachel Bendavid
Nancy Goldsmith Brill
Esther Hirsch
Fay Schragger
Melvin Denholtz
Max Gottlieb*
Jeffrey Scott Gross
Bella Karp
Eleanor Marcus
Hilda Rosenberg
Belle Yudman
Theodore Brod*
Mildred Grossman
Lisa Ellen Kaufman*
Israel Koller
Aaron Lox
Regina Brenman
Gilda Cousins
Frank John Lamagna
Eric Moss
Moshe Neustadt*
Steven Fisch
Martin Rosenweig
Irvin Babbitt
Ehtel Dalinsky
Irving Newman
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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Kim Braun
February 10
Sue Margulies
February 11
Bonni Rubin-Sugarman
February 12
Elaine Thomas
February 12
Rhena Kelsen
February 14
Judith Lipman
February 14
Jill Ratner
February 14
Elaine Rudolph
February 15
Helene Scharf
February 15
Rose Valentine
February 15
Barbara Werbel
February 16
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Joe & Carolyn Fleischer
February 10
56th Anniversary
Ira & Ina Morgenthal
February 13
53rd Anniversary
Greg & Andrea Silvershein
February 15
38th Anniversary
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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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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:
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 z"l 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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2023 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- 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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