JEWISH COMMUNITY

CENTER OF

LONG BEACH ISLAND

E-LETTER

April 5, 2024

26 Adar II 5784

CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE
CLICK HERE FOR THE JCC CALENDAR

FOR THE BEST VIEWING OF THE SHABBAT REMINDER,

CLICK HERE

A PRE-PASSOVER MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI

MATZAH MEMORIES

Pesach, only a few short weeks away, has always been my favorite Holiday. While it tells a relatively simple story of an enslaved people redeemed lovingly by an all-powerful God, we have come to observe it by means of a wonderfully complex and layered system of preparation and ritual. The holiday’s choreography is designed to create meaning and to foment individual and collective memory.

 

Despite all its nuanced complexity, at its core, the Passover story is about remembering. God remembering the Israelites and His Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the enslaved Israelites in Egypt remembering God; and us, today, remembering that we were slaves, and that God took us out of Egypt. Indeed, when God discussed the very first Passover with Moshe, he clearly had in mind that memories would play an important part in future celebration as He said:

 

This day shall be to you one of remembrance: you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord throughout the ages; you shall celebrate it as an institution for all time. (Exodus 12:14). 

 

When we remember, we re-live and when we re-live, it is as if we were there. Live, remember, re-live.... a holy cycle.


     In The Book of Passover, Rabbi Benjamin Blech tells us that when we have Seders and experience the Passover rituals:


What we are doing is creating memories. Not in the synagogue, but in our homes. Not with strangers, but with family and friends. Not to listen to a rabbi or cantor, but to be like rabbis and cantors ourselves –to lead a service of our very own, sharing our original insights into the Passover story. Retelling the past in a way that binds us to the future. Making our children the focus of our attention as we listen to them “ask the questions.” On the very first Passover, we became a people; how appropriate that every Passover since then we ensure our survival and become reborn through the power of memory.


!!!!!!!!ASSIGNMENT WARNING!!!!!!!!!


Your assignment is to send me a Passover memory. It can be about a Seder from your childhood, or more recent. It can be about Passover preparation. It can be about explaining the holiday to someone else. It can be short, or long. It can be funny or serious. It can bring a smile, or a tear. (Are you getting the sense that I will accept just abut anything your offer?) THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT I WANT YOU TO SHARE.

!!!!!!!!END OF ASSIGNMENT WARNING!!!!!!!!


This year, as we are preparing for Passover and sitting down to partake of our Seders, may we all be cognizant of the notion that we are creating memories for ourselves, and for our children and grandchildren. Memories are God’s gift to humankind and the cement that binds each generation to the next.


SHABBAT SHALOM AND REMEMBER TO PREPARE FOR A ZISSIN AND MEMORY FILLED PESACH!


RABBI MICHAEL S. JAY


PS: Last week I wrote at length about Hametz. But I left out one important part. Because our lives are complicated, and because we do not want to waste perfectly good Hametz (Well, it is perfectly good and acceptable for 357 days of the year), if some Hametz remains in your homes during Passover, I have a great deal for you! Leslie Dinkfelt, the JCC’s office manager, who is not Jewish, has graciously agreed to purchase the community’s Hametz for the duration of the holiday. If you click the hyperlink below, you will find a form authorizing me as your agent to sell all leaven and hametz in your possession for the duration of Passover. All you need to do is fill out the form and send it to me. Read the form and it will explain in detail what signing the form does, and what you need to do. Importantly you are allowed to keep the Hametz in your house, but not in the open. To authorize me to sell your Hametz, CLICK HERE

Shabbat Candle

Lighting time

Friday evening

April 5, 2024

7:07 PM


JOIN US FOR SERVICES


SHABBAT HACHODESH

precedes the first of the Hebrew month of Nisan during which Passover is celebrated. On the first day of Nisan, G-d presented the first commandment of how to “sanctify the new moon” (kiddush hachodesh) for the onset of Rosh Chodesh and thus Nisan becomes the first month of the Jewish year (counting by months).


Shabbat Mevarchim Chodesh Nisan


Friday, April 5, 2024

7:30 PM

for this week

ON ZOOM ONLY


Here is 

your invitation from 

Rabbi Jay to join

Zoom services

FRIDAY NIGHT


Saturday,

April 6, 2024

9:00 AM

ON ZOOM ONLY


Here is

your invitation from 

Rabbi Jay to join

Zoom services

SHABBAT


TORAH READING

Parashat Shmini

Leviticus 9:1-11:47; Exodus 12:1-20


Shemini (“Eighth”) opens with the consecration of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Two of Aaron’s sons are consumed by a fire sent from God when they attempt to offer a “strange fire.” God describes the animals, birds, and fish that are permissible and prohibited for consumption, as well as some laws of ritual purity.

Here is Parshah

Leviticus

Exodus


HAFTORAH

Ezekiel 45:16-46:18


This special haftorah is a prophecy regarding the Paschal Offering that will be brought during the Messianic Era, reflecting the theme of the Hachodesh Torah reading—Moses' command to the Israelites in Egypt to prepare and bring the Paschal lamb.

Here is the Haftorah


NO HAVDALLAH THIS WEEK


WEEKDAY SERVICES


Monday - Thursday

Ma'ariv Service

7:30 PM

Here is your invitation from Rabbi Jay to

join Zoom services:

MA'ARIV


PLEASE NOTE THERE WILL BE NO EVENING MINYANS SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY NIGHTS.

IF YOU NEED A MINYAN TO SAY KADISH, PLEASE CONTACT

RABBI JAY OR STU LEHRER.


Monday- Friday

Shacharit Service

NEW 7:45 AM

Sunday at 9:00 AM

Here is your invitation Rabbi Jay to

join Zoom services:

SHACHARIT

NO CLASSES WITH

RABBI JAY THIS WEEK


SUNDAY, APRIL 7

Pickleball

10:00 AM

*****

TUESDAY, APRIL 9

Pickleball

3:00 PM


Beginning Hebrew

with Ira

******

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10


Canasta & Mah Jongg

12:30 PM

**********

THURSDAY, APRIL 11

Pickleball

10:00 AM


Intermediate Hebrew with Ira

2:00 PM


PJP Program

“Jewish Philosophy and Feminism”

8:30 PM

***********

MAH JONGG & CANASTA


WEDNESDAYS

12:30 PM TO 4:00 PM

PICKLEBALL


SUNDAY 10:00 AM

TUESDAY 3:00 PM

THURSDAY 10:00 AM


Reminder: Pickleball for

members only!

For those who missed the excellent program on the making of Schindler's List here is the link to view it.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK

Passcode: D^ze7%r$

Here is the recording of Rabbi Jay's class this morning on the 3 matzahs


CUT AND PASTE


https://www.dropbox.com/transfer/AAAAAOmg2wSeH_fy1NKiJCmgtHlpn-YOEJG0MEXsOMVQ-EWkYKeUSN4


LET'S SHARE SOME PASSOVER RECIPES


Here's one from Deb Levy

send your recipe to rvalen1963@aol.com

MATZAH GRANOLA

Sarah Jampel


Ingredients 

  • 2 cups crumbled matzo
  • 3/4 cup roughly chopped pecans
  • 3/4 cup roughly chopped almonds
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/4 cup grated apple
  • 1 pinch coarse salt
  • 1/2 cup (or more) chopped dried figs
  • 1/2 cup (or more) chopped dates


Directions

  1. Mix together the dry ingredients -- matzo through coconut flakes -- and set aside.
  2. In a small saucepan over low heat, stir together the honey, sugar, olive oil, spices, and grated apple until the sugar is dissolved.
  3. Mix the wet ingredients with the dry, stirring so that all of the matzo is well coated. Add a big pinch of coarse salt and stir to incorporate.
  4. Preheat the oven to 300° F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  5. Spread the mixture on the baking sheet. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring halfway through. When the matzo is dry and toasted and the coconut is golden, remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the granola cool completely -- it will crisp up even more as it cools. Mix in the dried fruit, then enjoy the granola with milk or yogurt, or simply as a snack.

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

Friday, April 5

10:00 AM

Signing Class


Thursday, April 11

8:30 PM

PJP Program

“Jewish Philosophy and Feminism”


Friday, April 12

1 - 3 PM

WAX Luncheon

High Tea at the Lizzie Rose Tea Room


Sunday, April 14

2:00 PM

WAX Lecture Series

Chuck Sidwa, PA

"Aging, the Sun and your Skin"


Wednesday, April 17

4:00 PM

WAX Book Club


Friday, April 19

10:00 AM

Signing Class


Friday, April 19

12 - 4 PM

CPR Class

LEARN SIGNING WITH

ANTHONY DEFRANCO

at the JCC



FRIDAYS

10:00 AM - 11:AM

LAST CLASS

April 19, 2024



Another program brought to you by the JCC Women's Auxiliary



JCC WOMEN’S AUXILIARY: BOOK GROUP DISCUSSION

 WEDNESDAYS AT 4:00 PM

NEXT BOOK REVIEW MEETING

Thank you to Sondi Pripstein for so skillfully leading the March discussion.


Wednesday, April 17

"The Genius of Israel" by Dan Senor and Saul Singer

Discussion Leader: TBA


Why do Israelis have among the world’s highest life expectancies and lowest rates of “deaths of despair” from suicide and substance abuse? Why is Israel’s population young and growing while all other wealthy democracies are aging and shrinking? How can it be that Israel, according to a United Nations ranking, is the fourth happiest nation in the world? Why do Israelis tend to look to the future with hope, optimism, and purpose while the rest of the West struggles with an epidemic of loneliness, teen depression, and social decline?


Dan Senor and Saul Singer, the writers behind the international bestseller Start-Up Nation, have long been students of the global innovation race. But as they spent time with Israel’s entrepreneurs and political leaders, soldiers and students, scientists and anti-government activists, ultra-Orthodox Jews, Tel Aviv techies, and Israeli Arabs, they realized that they had missed what really sets Israel apart.


Moving from military commanders integrating at-risk youth and people who are neurodiverse into national service, to high-performing companies making space for working parents, from dreamers and innovators launching a duct-taped spacecraft to the moon, to bringing better health and climate solutions to people around the world, The Genius of Israel tells the story of a diverse society built around the values of service, civic engagement, and belonging.


Widely admired for having the world’s highest density of high-tech start-ups, Israel’s greatest innovation may not be a technology at all, but Israeli society itself. Understanding how a country facing so many challenges can be among the happiest provides surprising insights into how we can confront the crisis of community, human connectedness, and purpose in modern life.


Bold, timely, and insightful, Senor and Singer’s latest work shines an important light on the impressive resilience of Israeli society in the face of external and internal challenges—and what other countries can learn.

Visit our JCC Website

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

Thursday, April 11 @8:30 PM Dr. Andrea Dara Cooper, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

“Jewish Philosophy and Feminism”



In this talk, we’ll consider how scholars and theologians have attempted to find a feminist space within the Jewish interpretive tradition. How can contemporary approaches to gender analysis allow us to understand the use of gendered terms in Judaism, and in what ways can Judaism be both challenged and revitalized by these approaches? Andrea Dara Cooper is Associate Professor and Leonard and Tobee Kaplan Scholar in Modern Jewish Thought and Culture in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she teaches a range of courses on religion and culture, the history of Judaism, gender, and philosophy. She is the author of Gendering Modern Jewish Thought (Indiana University Press, 2021).

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE PROGRAM
SEE ADDITIONAL PROGRAM DETAILS HERE
To Order your Shirts or Caps, Click Here
To pay by credit card on the JCC Website

CONGREGATION NEWS

The following names will be read by the Rabbi on Friday evening:


Sylvia Glasser

Morris Herman

David Polinsky

Anita L. Ross

William Berger*

Hannah S. Cohen

Bernice Franks

Alvin Kaplan

T. Daniel Lang*

Jacob Liebenberg

Isadore Opatosky

Joseph Schlanger*

Marvin Henry Weinberger*

Ethel Zwillman

Ann Celnik

Chaya Cohen

Samuel Kreiger

Leslie Siegel

Sam Singer

Richard Sugarman

Michael Beck*

Louis Cohen

Irving List*

Lillian Barham

Charles Miller

Fannie Shapiro

Ruth Weisberger



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 7:45 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.



CLICK HERE FOR EVENING SERVICE
CLICK HERE FOR MORNING SERVICE

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 


Cake

Clifford Denker

April 6

Robert Farin

April 7

Sharon Hendler

April 10

Laura E. Leizer

April 10

Barry Freedman

April 11

Stanley Wallach

April 11

Sandy Rosenbloom

April 12

George & Susan Karp

April 7

45th Anniversary

Scott & Dana Ranani

April 8

24th Anniversary

Cary & Lynn Reimer

April 8

52nd Anniversary

James & Amy Wolf

April 9

30th Anniversary

Howard & Janet Cohen

April 12

38th Anniversary 

MAZEL TO

Diane & Bernett Hoffman

on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Archie. He lives in Manhattan with his parents Eva Hoffman & Ken Cornick and this older siblings Clara and Theo. He is an avid athlete playing baseball and basketball on leagues throughout the city. He has recently taken up golf. His bar mitzvah on April 6th celebrates the final Hoffman bar/bat mitzvah of the Hoffman’s 7 grandchildren.

SHARE YOUR NEWS

AND PICTURES


CONTACT: 

rvalen1963@aol.com


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 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


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

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

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

FROM 10 - 2

CLOSED THURSDAY



 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