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A SHABBAT MESSAGE FROM RABBI JAY

This week we begin the book of Numbers and the Torah portion begins with God telling Moses to take a census.  A census can be taken for many reasons, but it is pretty clear that this one is taken as a means of determining how many men are available for the upcoming battles that God anticipates the Israelites will be involved in as they wander the desert and when they enter the land of Canaan. It must have been a bit disconcerting for the people to consider the prospects of battle from their weakened position as former slaves. It is sad to note that war and conflict has simply been a part of human existence forever. How much more so do we know this today.

The above, very brief summary having been established, it is propitious that we read this Torah portion this week.  It is a good time to take our own census of sorts.  In the last few months, despite the upside down world in which we find ourselves, we have been an active community and it will only get busier as our season begins. I hope that the strength provides all of us with the hope that things will get better in Israel and for Jewish communities here and around the world. Let’s look at a short and non-exhaustive list of what we have been up to and what we will be doing:

• WAX has had several brunches and programs to keep everyone busy.
• Through the Partnership in Jewish Programming(PJP), we have had speakers and visits to exotic places.
• Also, through PJP, we had over 500 households on for my conversation with Alan Dershowitz.
• Pickle Ball has continued to thrive (despite many participants staying in the kitchen).
• The JCC Book Club meets every month.
• We’ve had classes on Judaism and Hope, Making the Case for Israel, and Pirkei Avot.
• I have provided frequent updates on what is going on in Israel.
• I have talked about the International Court of Justice’s case against Israel.
• Not only are we studying Torah every week, but now we have added a class on studying the Prophets.
• We had a blessing of our pets.
• We have had Shabbat Dinners on the first of every month.
• WAX, wonderfully, led a Women’s Shabbat.
• On Memorial Day I provided a blessing at Spray Beach Yacht Club’s season opening gala.
• This Shabbat we are having a baby naming.
• Next week on Shavuot, we will have a night of Torah study (Tuesday, June 11^th).
• On Shavuot we will be joined by our friends from White Plains and will be serving dairy luncheons.
• We have 10 beach services scheduled for this summer.
• We continue to have minyans every morning and evening.
• I will be participating in the Blessing of the Fleet on Father’s Day, June 16^th at 5:30 in Barnegat Light.
• We are having an Interfaith concert featuring The Island Singers, on Sunday, June 30^th at 4:00 PM
• Dr. Eric Mandel will be joining us to update us on Israel and the middle east on Friday, Juy 4
• Our programming committee is bringing us magicians, singers, DJ’s, auctions and more! Check the calendar and Shabbat Reminders for dates and times.

This is truly a census to bring joy to the Senses. We are amazingly busy for a synagogue on an Island whose prime time is (allegedly) summer. Kol Hakavod to everyone who has been involved in making all of the above happen. A community is only as strong as the folks who become involved. 

My hope and prayer is that we each feel empowered to become a part of the census. If there is programming that anyone would like considered, or subjects that you would like to learn, please reach out to me, or let someone on the Board know. The opportunities and possibilities are limitless.

Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay

The festival of Shavuot is a Jewish holiday that occurs on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan (late May or early June). Shavuot commemorates the anniversary of the day G-d gave the Torah to the entire Israelite nation assembled at Mount Sinai. The holiday is one of the Shalosh Regalim, the three Biblical pilgrimage festivals. It marks the conclusion of the Counting of the Omer.

Candle Lighting time

Tuesday evening

June 11, 2024

8:06 PM

Wednesday evening,

June 12, 2024

9:37 PM

TUESDAY, JUNE 11

Erev Shavuot Services

&

Study Session (Tikkun)

7:00 PM

with

Rabbi Jay

Assorted Topics

Rose Valentine

A Study of Ashrei

"What Happiness to Belong to Your People"

Stu Lehrer

A BLESSING ON YOUR HEAD....AND THE REST OF YOU

Stu will trek back in time to the advent of the ceremony known as BIRCHAT HAKOHAIN: The Blessing of the Congregation by the Priests as directed by God to Aaron: the first High Priest or Kohain - Colloquially we also know if by the name of Duchenen - Then, the journey will delve into the various customs round the world on the performance thereof and finally Stu will take us through to the actual procedure of this astounding ceremony

Cheesecake and Eclairs will be served.

IN PERSON

& ON ZOOM

Here is 

your invitation from 

Rabbi Jay to join

Zoom services

EREV SHAVUOT

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12

Shavuot Services

10:00 AM

IN PERSON &

ON ZOOM

Here is

your invitation from 

Rabbi Jay to join

Zoom services

SHAVUOT MORNING

7:30 PM

ON ZOOM ONLY

Here is

your invitation from 

Rabbi Jay to join

Zoom services

SHAVUOT NIGHT

THURSDAY, JUNE 13

Shavuot Services with Yiskor

10:00 AM

Yiskor (11:30)

IN PERSON &

ON ZOOM

Here is

your invitation from 

Rabbi Jay to join

Zoom services

SHAVUOT WITH YISKOR

According to an article by Aish, it was at the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai that the laws of keeping kosher were given. Among the newly-announced kosher laws was the requirement that meat foods had to be cooked and served separately from dairy foods. Given that the people needed time to prepare separate pots for cooking meat, they temporarily stopped eating meat immediately after receiving the Torah. In the interim, they ate dairy foods. We remember this on Shavuot, when we celebrate receiving the Torah.

Thank you to Paul Levin for sharing this article. CLICK HERE FOR THE ENTIRE ARTICLE

And again thank you to Stu Lehrer of sharing his Aunt Ruth's recipe for Blintzas.

Stu’s Aunt Ruth’s Blintzas Sauce perfect for שבועות and anytime……

This recipe yields 18 blintzas – It is definitely only for the fruit flavors as apple, blueberry, and cherry – You will need a large spoon [preferably wooden], a large mixing bowl and a 13 x 9 glass baking dish

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees

Mix the following ingredients extremely well – Mixer is not necessary

½ cup Sour Cream or Yogurt [if you wish to make it parve: use Dairy Free or Soy]

1 teaspoon Vanilla

4 large Eggs

¼ cup Orange Juice or Orange-Pineapple Juice blend

¼ cup Sugar or 1/8 cup Sugar and 1/8 cup Light Brown Sugar

¼ teaspoon of Cinnamon

Dash of Nutmeg

1 teaspoon of Maple Syrup

Spray the baking dish

For fun: lay the blintzas out onto the glass dish: mixing them up

Then pour the mixture over the blintzas & place the dish in the oven uncovered

Bake for 45 minutes until golden brown and serve warm

Garnish with cut up fruit, whipped cream, and of course: ice cream   

SHABBAT ON THE BEACH SERVICES

JUNE DATES

Friday, June 14 @ 6:00 PM

Shabbat on the Beach

Loveladies

Friday, June 21 @ 6:00 PM

Shabbat on the Beach

Spray Beach

Friday, June 28 @ 6:00 PM

Shabbat on the Beach

 Loveladies

CLICK HERE FOR BULLETIN WITH ALL THE SUMMER DATES

PAGE 8

Sunday, June 9 @ 11-1 PM

WAX Welcome to Summer Brunch at the JCC

Sunday, June 16 @ 5:30 PM

Blessing of Fleet at Viking Village

Wednesday, June 19 @ 4:00 PM

WAX Book Review

Thursday, June 20 @ 8:30 PM

PJP Program

Friday, June 21 @ 6:00 PM

Shabbat on the Beach

Spray Beach

Sunday, June 23

JCC Membership Brunch at the JCC

Friday, June 28 @ 6:00 PM

Shabbat on the Beach in Loveladies

Sunday, June 30 @ 4 - 6 PM

Interfaith Concert with

The Island Singers

JCC WOMEN’S AUXILIARY: BOOK GROUP DISCUSSION

 WEDNESDAYS AT 4:00 PM

NEXT BOOK REVIEW MEETING

NEXT BOOK REVIEW MEETING

Wednesday, June 19th at 4:00 PM

Discussion Leader: TBA

A Castle in Brooklyn By: Shirley Russak Wachtel

1944, Poland. Jacob Stein and Zalman Mendelson meet as boys under terrifying circumstances. They survive by miraculously escaping, but their shared past haunts and shapes their lives forever. Years later, Zalman plows a future on a Minnesota farm. In Brooklyn, Jacob has a new life with his wife, Esther. When Zalman travels to New York City to reconnect, Jacob’s hopes for the future are becoming a reality. With Zalman’s help, they build a house for Jacob’s family and for Zalman, who decides to stay. Modest and light filled, inviting and warm with acceptance—for all of them, it’s a castle to call home. Then an unforeseeable tragedy—and the grief, betrayals, and revelations in its wake—threatens to destroy what was once an unbreakable bond, and Esther finds herself at a crossroads. A Castle in Brooklyn is a moving and heartfelt immigration story about finding love and building a home and family while being haunted by a traumatic past.

Thursday, June 20 @ 8:30 PM

Dalia Ziada, “Navigating the Geopolitical Crossroads: Insights from the Middle East

In this engaging virtual event, Dalia will share her expertise on governance, defense policy, and the region's intricate dynamics. From Egypt's role in the Gaza conflict to the future of Egypt-Israel relations amidst presidential elections and economic challenges, Dalia will provide a nuanced perspective on the Middle East's critical issues. Delve into discussions on Arab leadership's stance towards Israel, the complexities of radical Islamism, and the evolving power dynamics reshaping the region. Gain unique insights into the reaction of the Arab street, the influence of Iran, and the implications of the Israel-Hamas war on regional stability. Additionally, Dalia will share her compelling story as an example of the dominance of radicalism and Arabism on the Egyptian and Arab streets. Dalia was forced to flee her home country after calling for Egypt to embrace its peace treaty with Israel and justify the war against Hamas terrorists. 

Cost is $25 per adult and Children under 18 is $18. 

Please RSVP to Jill Denker at Jill.Denker@hotmail.com by 7/1/24

CONGREGATION NEWS

Anniversaries & Birthdays will be sent out tomorrow.

SEND ANNOUNCEMENTS OF YOUR GRADUATES TO rvalen1963@aol.com.

PICTURES ARE WELCOME

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

2024 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