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JEWISH COMMUNITY
CENTER OF
LONG BEACH ISLAND
E-LETTER
May 8, 2026
21 Iyar 5786
| | | THIS SHABBAT ALL SERVICES ARE ON ZOOM | | |
A TORAH MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
In the Ten Commandments the Torah tells us to “Honor your father and mother….” In the Holiness code (Leviticus 19), it tells us to “Revere your father and mother….” It may seem trivial, but I think the Torah intentionally puts mom first when we are told to “revere” our parents. To revere a parent is to do more than honor. Why should mom be revered first. To quote the Sonnet: “Let (us) count the ways.”
Our mother is the first one to teach us how to “human”; How to be kind and caring. She shows us how to nurture. She shows us how to treat someone with kindness. She shows us how to care for ourselves. She teaches us to wash, and clean, and cook, and how to be respectful. She teaches us to listen to what others have to say. She lets us know that the best way to teach is to do it with a smile and with a gentle touch. She demonstrates what it means to be a loving human by showing us the importance of taking care of others.
She may not know the Torah verbatim, but the torah is inherently in her.
When we recite the Yizkor prayer for a mother, we refer to a mother who has passed away as IMI MORATI, “my mother, my teacher”. In this simple phrase, we have a recognition of the significant role entrusted to the mother, her role as teacher of her children.
The most significant part of a child's education occurs in the home, not in the classroom. With honesty a mother conveys to her children her fears and her hopes, her aspirations and her defeats. She does this through the way that she handles the experiences of life. These hopes and values are what shape the outlook of her children and her grandchildren, and generations beyond.
Think of your mom as IMI MORATI, my mother, my teacher, and you will remember all the lessons she taught you just by being your mom.
My mom was the one with the sweet voice and the gentle touch. She laughed when we needed a giggle, was stern when we needed a gentle zetz, and was always there to clean the bruised knee.
It was my mother who brought the chicken soup and toast with jelly when we were sick, and it was she who gave a soothing hug to help us confront life’s disappointments. And no one was happier or prouder to share in life’s victories and precious moments.
As Mother’s Day approaches, we honor the sacred role of mothers in Jewish life and tradition. In Judaism, a mother is more than a caregiver — she is often the heart of the home, the first teacher of faith, kindness, and Torah. From the wisdom of Sarah to the courage of Yocheved, and from the strength of Hannah to the faith of Ruth, our tradition reminds us that generations are shaped by the strength and compassion of women.
May we give thanks for the mothers and mother-figures in our lives. May we honor them not only with words, but with gratitude, kindness, and the way we live each day. And may God bless all who nurture others with strength, peace, and love. Amen.
This Friday, on Zoom, our Kabbalat Shabbat service will focus on celebrating our mothers. Join us for readings and prayers. Be prepared to share with us a lesson your mother taught you.
Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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Rabbi Jay had a feature article in this month's Jewish Journal. The article is entitled "Counting on Torah.
CLICK ON THIS TO SEE THE ARTICLE ON PAGE 2
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Candle Lighting Time
(Southern Ocean County)
Shabbat Eve
Friday, May 8, 2026
7:39
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Mother's Day
Friday Night Service with special readings
Friday
May 8, 2026
SERVICES
6:00 PM
ON ZOOM ONLY
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join Services
on Zoom
FRIDAY NIGHT
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Saturday
May 9, 2026
SERVICES
9:00 AM
ON ZOOM ONLY
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services and Torah Study
SATURDAY MORNING
TORAH READING
Behar-Bechukotai
Leviticus 25:1-27:34
Behar (“On The Mountain”) details the laws of the sabbatical year (Shemita), when working the land is prohibited and debts are forgiven. It also sets out laws of indentured servitude and of the Jubilee year (Yovel), when property reverts to its original ownership. Bechukotai (“In My Laws”) is the final Torah portion in the Book of Leviticus. It begins describing blessings that follow obedience to God's laws and curses that come with desecration of them. It ends with laws of vows and consecration of people and property.
Here is the Portion
HAFTORAH
Jeremiah 16:19-17:14
This week’s haftarah highlights the consequences of disobeying God’s commandments, focusing on the exile of the people of Israel as a result of their transgressions. In this way, these verses echo the themes of Parashat Bechukotai, underscoring the importan ce of heeding divine laws to avoid suffering and encouraging repentance for spiritual renewal and restoration of blessings.
Here is the Haftorah
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TORAH QUESTION?
What do you think the idea of letting the land rest every seven years is meant to teach people about their relationship to work, ownership, and trust?
| Rabbi Jay will be in his office at the JCC after services on Saturdays. The Rabbi is also available at any time or place to schedule in-person, or virtual meetings at your convenience. The Rabbi can be reached by call/text 973-865-9534 or email at Mjayrab@gmail.com | |
WEEKDAY SERVICES
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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MAY 15, 2026
Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) is an Israeli national holiday celebrating the reunification of Jerusalem and the establishment of Israeli control over the Old City in June 1967. Observed on the 28th of Iyar, it features joyous parades, prayers, and ceremonies, marking the return of Jewish access to the Western Wall.
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Shavuot marks the completion of the seven-week Omer count after Passover. It commemorates the momentous giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, while also serving as a biblical harvest festival. Common traditions include all-night Torah study, eating dairy foods, and reading the
Book of Ruth.
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SERVICES
Thursday, May 21st - 7:30 PM
In-Person and on Zoom
Shavuot Services
and then
A Night of Study
(Tikkun Leil Shavuot)
Friday, May 22nd - 9AM
In-Person and on Zoom
7:30 PM Zoom Only
Saturday, May 23rd - 9AM
In-Person and on Zoom
Yizkor recited at approx. 10:45 AM
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SUNDAY, May 10
NO Pickleball
******
MONDAY, May 11
Easy Hiking with Lisa Riley
10:00 AM
TUESDAY, May 12
Pickleball
10 AM - 1 PM
*****
WEDNESDAY, May 13
MAH JONGG/CANASTA
12:30 PM
*******
THURSDAY, May 14
Pickleball
10:00 AM - 1 PM
FRIDAY, May 15
WAX Brunch
LBI Table
11:00 PM
Yom Yirushalayim
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SECURITY TRAINING DATES
Stop The Bleed
June 4th, 10-12:30
Active Threat Training
June 25th 10-12:30
JFED will be conducting both programs!
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR PROGRAMS
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Monday, May 11
Easy Hiking with Lisa Riley
10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Friday, May 15
WAX Brunch
11:00 AM
Sunday, May 17
Wine Tasting Event
CANCELLED
Wednesday, May 20
WAX Book Club
4:00 PM
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Friday, June 5
Family Shabbat Dinner
6:30 PM
Wednesday, June 10
Interfaith Concert with the Island Singers
St. Francis of Assisi Parish
7:00 PM
Friday, June 12
WAX Brunch
11:00 AM
Monday, June 15
Drawing with Joyce Smith
Wednesday, June 17
WAX Book Group
4:00 PM
Sunday, June 28
Welcome Back Brunch
10:00 AM
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PICKLEBALL
Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
10 - 1
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MAH JONGG & CANASTA
WEDNESDAYS
12:30 PM TO 4:00 PM
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"A Rosenberg by Any Other Name: Jewish Name-Changing in the 20th Century" with Kirsten Fermaglich of Michigan State University, which took place last Thursday evening.
HERE IS THE LINK
Passcode: r@qy8iR&
| | WAX BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP | | |
Wednesday, May 20th at 4:00 pm
Discussion Leader: TBA
The Book of Lost Hours
By Hayley Gelfuso
Enter the time space, a soaring library filled with books containing the memories of those have passed and accessed only by specially made watches once passed from father to son—but mostly now in government hands. This is where eleven-year-old Lisavet Levy finds herself trapped in 1938, waiting for her watchmaker father to return for her. When he doesn’t, she grows up among the books and specters, able to see the world only by sifting through the memories of those who came before her. As she realizes that government agents are entering the time space to destroy books and maintain their preferred version of history, she sets about saving these scraps in her own volume of memories. Until the appearance of an American spy named Ernest Duquesne in 1949 offers her a glimpse of the world she left behind, setting her on a course to change history and possibly the time space itself.
In 1965, sixteen-year-old Amelia Duquesne is mourning the disappearance of her uncle Ernest when an enigmatic CIA agent approaches her to enlist her help in tracking down a book of memories her uncle had once sought. But when Amelia visits the time space for the first time, she realizes that the past—and the truth—might not be as linear as she’d like to believe.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR JUNE 10
THIS PROGRAM IS PRESENTED BY THE INTERFAITH CLERGY OF LONG BEACH ISLAND OF WHICH THE JCC OF LBI IS A PART
| | The Federation is offering an incentive for our members to attend the Let's Connect event on June 17. For each $36 ticket purchased, the JCC will receive a donation from the Federation of $18. | | MAH JONGG TOURNAMENT SIGN UP FORM | | BUY YOUR COMEDY SHOW TICKETS NOW | | |
NEW ITEMS IN THE GIFT SHOP
| | HOLDERS FOR MATCH BOOK FOR CANDLE LIGHTING | | MEZZUZAHS FOR CHILDREN'S ROOM | | STERLING SILVER NECKLACES MADE IN iSRAEL | |
The gift shop is open during office hours
M-F 10 - 2.
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The following names will be read by the Rabbi on Friday evening:
Ester Blattner
Shelly Keller
Evelyn Rubinfeld
Walter Steigerwald*
Mollie Bass*
Samuel Buznitsky
George Fuhrmann
Judy Goldberg
Sylvia Greenspan
Clara Hoffman
Harvey B. Levin
Bernard Ostroff
Abraham Rosenfeld*
Howard Sherry*
Samuel Rosenweig
Elaine Berkowitz
Milton Britz*
Jerome Molbert*
Scott L. Paley
Esther Rosenfeld*
Joseph Tomar
Josephine Cramer
Dr. Harry Herman*
David Kaplan
Elizabeth Piwosky
Isidor Rothstein
Bernice Szanger*
Elaine Frand
Martin Garb
Abraham Joseph Kates*
Jerome Stanley Katz*
Herbert Kramer
Kate Alexander
Mark Babbitt
Richard Gardner, MD
Vera Lipman
Harry Solomon*
Judith Weinstein
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.
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"May God remember forever our dear ones who have gone to their eternal rest. May they be at one with the One who is life eternal. May the beauty of their lives shine for evermore, and may our lives always bring honor to their memory."
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Robert Harowitz
May 9
Ira Fox
May 10
Anne Hamburger
May 10
Sybil Kleinfeld
May 12
Irene Babst
May 14
Samuel Braun
May 14
Jeff Sussman
May 14
Cheryl Celebre
May 15
Susan Karp
May 15
Jeri Riffle
May 15
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Howard & Joanne Babbitt
May 10th
56th 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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We would like to expand our Caring Committee to reach out to folks who need a "how are you doing?" call once and a while. Please contact
Debby Schweighardt
973-634-5349 if you are interesting in participating
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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 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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2025 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
BE A PART OF THE WOMEN'S AUXILLARY
2025 DUES FORM HERE
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JCC FUNDS
Scroll down to see the new Ner Tamid Fund
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.
NER TAMID FUND
The Ner Tamid Fund was established in 2025 as part of the JCC’s 75th Anniversary Celebration. Its purpose is to fund necessary maintenance or improvement of our beautiful JCC building as well as the Parsonage. To ensure that the JCC remains an Eternal Light for the Jewish Community on and off the island and in Southern Ocean County generally, please consider making a separate donation to the Ner Tamid Fund, or allocating a small portion of your High Holiday donation to that fund.
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JCC LEADERSHIP
OFFICERS
President- Phil Rosenzweig
1ST Vice President-Sherry Fruchterman
2ND Vice President-Diane Hoffman
3RD Vice President- Jon Geier
Secretary- Cliff Denker
Immediate Past President -Michael Babst
BOARD MEMBERS
Howard Babbitt
Diane Buskirk
Lorna Klein
Ken Podos
Sondi Pripstein
Terri Robinovitz
David Shatz
Bonni Rubin-Sugarman
Rose Valentine
Ken Yudman
WOMEN'S AUXILIARY
President - Diane Buskirk
Treasurer - Suzy Geier
Secretary - Joanne Babbitt
Lorna Klein
Joyce Levine
Representative to the Board - Sondi Pripstein
Immediate Past President - Irene Babst
Rabbi Michael S. Jay, Spiritual Leader
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