JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF LONG BEACH ISLAND E-LETTER March 31, 2023 9 Nisan 5783  CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE

THURSDAY FINAL DAY TO RESPOND WITH YOUR FAVORITE PASSOVER RECIPE

A PASSOVER MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI The Seder is full of rich ritual and symbolism. There is Matza, there is Maror, and there are four cups of wine. We call out Ten plagues, we sing songs, and we search for the afikomen. All of this is fun and helps us to create indelible memories that are etched in our hearts. However, all of this is an adjunct to the core purpose of the Seder, which is about telling the story of the exodus and the redemption of the Jewish people from slavery. But what do we focus on when we tell the story? This year as I was preparing for the holiday, I was struck by a nuance in how we tell the story. In the Haggadah, right after the Four Questions, there is a section of the Maggid (“The Telling [of the story]) that begins with “Avadim Hayeenu”. Here it is. Please read it carefully and consider what it says and what it is asking us to do: עֲבָדִים הָיִינוּ לְפַרְעֹה בְּמִצְרָיִם….. We were slaves to Pharaoh in the land of Egypt. And the Lord, our God, took us out from there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. And if the Holy One, blessed be He, had not taken our ancestors from Egypt, behold we and our children and our children's children would still be enslaved to Pharaoh in Egypt. And even if we were all wise, all intelligent, all elders, all knowledgeable about the Torah, it would be a commandment upon us to tell the story of the exodus from Egypt. And the more one tells of the story of the exodus from Egypt, the more praiseworthy it is. (If you’d like to hear a song featuring this part of the Seder, click here: https://youtu.be/09jmwmHJZgI) The section of the Haggadah above mentions that we were slaves, tells us that God took us out from slavery, and it reminds us that, but for God’s actions, we would still be slaves. It then tells us that we are each (and all) obligated to tell the story. However, look closely at the last sentence: “And the more one tells of the story of the exodus from Egypt, the more praiseworthy it is.”  What are we specifically being told to do? The Haggadah is directing us to tell the “story of the exodus from Egypt”. There is an important message here that I want us all to internalize. Note that the Haggadah is NOT telling us to tell the “story of our slavery”. The command is to tell the story of the “exodus”. The message, while somewhat indirect, is clear. Don’t forget the negative and don’t ignore what was done to us long ago. At the same time don’t dwell on it. Yes, it is important to remember that our ancestors were slaves. But it is much more important to tell and retell and retell and retell the story of their (our) miraculous liberation. The lesson cannot be undervalued. It would be very easy to dwell on the 400 years of Egyptian tyranny. People focus on the negative all the time. The Rabbis insist that we not travel this path. Instead, at our Seders and in our lives, the hope is that we will put our energy into remembering the miracles and the wonders that we have experienced. May our Shabbat be peaceful, our Seders full of stories, and may the miracles be remembered and continue. Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay SALE OF HAMETZ It is customary on Passover to remove leaven products, known as Hametz from one’s possession. This is accomplished in two ways: outright disposal of all Hametz products in one’s possession, or sale of those products to a non-Jew. Attached is a form to use to turn over your Hametz to Rabbi Jay so he can sell it on your behalf. SALE OF HAMETZ Candle Lighting time Friday evening March 31, 2023 7:01 pm (So. Ocean County) JOIN US FOR SERVICES SHABBAT HAGADOL Shabbat HaGadol (“Great Shabbat”) is the Shabbat immediately before Passover. There is a special Haftarah reading on this Shabbat of the book of Malachi. Friday night March 31, 2023 7:30 PM IN PERSON & ON ZOOM Here is  your invitation from  Rabbi Jay to join Zoom services FRIDAY NIGHT Saturday Morning April 1, 2023 9:00 AM IN PERSON & ON ZOOM Here is your invitation from  Rabbi Jay to join Zoom services SHABBAT MORNING TORAH READING Parashat Tzav Leviticus 6:1-8:36 Here is the Reading PARSHAH In Tzav (“Command”), God tells Moses about the sacrifices offered in the Mishkan (Tabernacle), including a meal offering brought by the high priest, guilt offerings, and offerings of thanks. Moses initiates Aaron and Aaron’s sons for priestly service in the Mishkan. HAFTORAH Malachi 3:4-24. Here is the Haftorah HAFTORAH HAVDALLAH Saturday evening 7:45 PM Here is your invitation from  Rabbi Jay to join Zoom services: HAVDALLAH 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 PASSOVER SERVICES Thursday, April 6 Friday, April 7 Wednesday, April 12 Thursday, April 13 10:00 AM Yizkor April 13 at 11:30 AM

PREPARING FOR PESACH Selling the Chametz We are commanded to have no chametz in our possession during Passover. Do we have to burn the closed bag of snitzel in the freezer? No. Our rabbis have made it possible for us to sell this chametz to a non-Jew prior to the holiday. Generally, we sell the chametz to a Rabbi who in turn acts as an agent and sells it to a non-Jew. SEE ABOVE FOR SELLING CHAMETZ TO RABBI JAY

Searching for Chametz - Tuesday, April 4th Finally, it is the night before Passover, and it is time to gather your family in your sparkling clean home for Bidikat Chametz. Once all the chametz in the house is found and burned, we are ready for the Passover Seder. See the video below to see how to search for chametz

Preparing the Passover Plate Click on this to see how to Prepare the Seder Plate Some material taken from from https://www.learnreligions.com/preparing-for-pesach-2076948

Thank you to Joanne Babbitt for leading our Passover baking class last Sunday afternoon. The mini cheesecakes were easy to make and looked delicious. They will most likely be gobbled up before Passover.

PICKLEBALL SUNDAY AT 10:00 AM NO PICKLEBALL THURSDAY 4/6

Thanks to the popularity of the Pickleball program at the JCC, the activity will be extended beyond its initial 6 weeks. Join our "pickle gang" and learn the game, play the game or just watch, schmooze and enjoy a bagel and a schmear.

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES MAH JONGG & CLASSES CANCELLED FOR THIS WEEK

NEXT and last JEWISH HISTORY PROGRAM APRIL 27 , 2023 link will be sent out prior to the date

JCC WOMEN’S AUXILIARY: BOOK GROUP DISCUSSION  WEDNESDAYS AT 4:00 PM

NEXT BOOK REVIEW MEETING Wednesday, April 19th at 4:00 pm Discussion Leader: TBA Defending Britta Stein By Ronald Balson Chicago, 2018: Ole Henryks, a popular restauranteur, is set to be honored by the Danish/American Association for his many civic and charitable contributions. Frequently appearing on local TV, he is well known for his actions in Nazi-occupied Denmark during World War II—most consider him a hero. Britta Stein, however, does not. The ninety-year-old Chicago woman levels public accusations against Henryks by spray-painting “Coward,” “Traitor,” “Collaborator,” and “War Criminal” on the walls of his restaurant. Mrs. Stein is ultimately taken into custody and charged with criminal defacement of property. She also becomes the target of a bitter lawsuit filed by Henryks and his son, accusing her of defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Attorney Catherine Lockhart, though hesitant at first, agrees to take up Mrs. Stein's defense. With the help of her investigator husband, Liam Taggart, Lockhart must reach back into wartime Denmark and locate evidence that proves Mrs. Stein's innocence. ORDER YOUR BOOK FROM AMAZON AND START READING TODAY Click here to order Defending Brita Stein.  Click here to borrow the book from the Ocean County Library.  RSVP to Debby Schweighardt, Book Group Coordinator at: dschweig19@gmail.com FUTURE BOOKS Wednesday, May 17th Shanda: A Memoir of Shame and Secrecy By Letty Cottin Pogrebin Wednesday, June 21st My Mother’s Secret: A Novel of the Jewish Autonomous Region By Alina Adams Wednesday, July 19th Signal Fires By Dani Shapiro Wednesday, August 16th Rebel Daughter By Lori Banov Kaufmann A Zoom link will be sent shortly before the event.

CONGREGATION NEWS

The following names will be read by the Rabbi on Friday evening Cynthia Bloom Helen Klein* William Poster* Irving Sampson* Stanley Blum Ed Davis Milton Kamler Gerald Schaer Cecil Weiner Philip Cohen Robert Dobrow Sandra Garb Jack Moss Morris Lustgaren Jerome Shapiro Cory B. Stein* Oscar Glickman* Georges Margent Julius Snyder* Elissa Biester Sylvia Frankiel Benard Gubar* Rhoda Halperin Irving Koseff* Alfred Levin Samuel Pepose Maxine Petersohn Jacob Saferstein Fanny Fuhrmann George Gubar* Joseph Indzel Patricia Mayro Felix Schoenberger Vera Sidel  *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. EVENING SERVICE MORNING SERVICE Rudolph Valentine April 1 Lewis Chakrin April 2 David Denenberg April 2 Mark I. Peroff April 2 Steven Goldsmith April 3 Linda Sclarow April 3 Hugh Chairnoff April 4 Maxine Paris April 4 Clifford Denker April 6 Robert Farin April 7 John & Debra Schweighardt April 1 22nd Anniversary Philip & Shari Garfinkel April 2 17th Anniversary Oded Cohen & Joann Ramer April 6 15th Anniversary George & Susan Karp April 7 44th Anniversary Francine & Sam Braun

SHARE YOUR NEWS AND PICTURES CONTACT:  rvalen1963@aol.com

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

SHOWING OF THE NEW DOCUMENTARY DEPICTING THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL FARMING COLONY IN AMERICA The Alliance Colony was a social experiment. Forty-three Jewish families fleeing Russian persecution arrived in the desolate fields of the southern Pine Barrens in 1882. They formed an agricultural collective. Twenty-five years later, a bustling population of 1,000 Jews had harnessed the land and built a bountiful legacy that lives on today. Stockton University Sunday, April 16 at 12:30 PM Showing of the Film Free of Charge This is a three day event including dinner and tour. SEE DETAILS BELOW

TICKET INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS

ALLIANCE PRESS RELEASE

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COMMUNITY Att: Doctors, Nurses, NPs and PAs

YOU CAN NOW FILL OUT A GIVING FORM AND PAY ON LINE IN ONE SIMPLE PROCESS. Go to jccoflbi.org - community - forms

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

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

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.

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 Jon Geier Paul Levine Donald Pripstein Terri Robinovitz David Shatz Rob Van Naarden 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

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 email: jccoflbi@gmail.com web site: www.jccoflbi.org      THE OFFICE IS OPEN MONDAY - FRIDAY CLOSED THURSDAY FROM 10 - 2  Staff:  Leslie Dinkfelt, Office Manager   Mary Beth Krieger, Staff Member  Diane Parzych, Staff Member Susan Berube, Kitchen Manager LATEST BULLETIN: BULLETIN PRAYER BOOK: Prayer Book   WEB SITE: JCC WEB SITE PAVERS: PAVER FORM  TREE OF LIFE TREE    YAHRZEIT PLAQUE FORM: YAHRZEIT PLAQUES KOL HAKAVOD DONATION FORM KOL HAKAVOD TRIBUTES: TRIBUTES  CONTACT INFORMATION:   Rabbi Michael S. Jay mjayrab@gmail.com Phil Rosenzweig, President prosenzweig@sanddlawyers.com    E-mail Editor: Rose Valentine  rvalen1963@aol.com  Graphics by Irene Babst Contributing Columnist Sheila Weisel