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JEWISH COMMUNITY
CENTER OF
LONG BEACH ISLAND
E-LETTER
July 21, 2023
3 Av 5783
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The last two weeks we have looked at Ashrei, Psalm 145. There are 150 Psalms and we read the last six every morning. Ashrei ends with the word Halleluyah. There is poetry in this ending because Psalms 146 to 150 each start with “halleluyah” and end with halleluyah”. (FYI, this is called an “inclusion”) As a reminder, the Hebrew word “halleluyah” translates as “Praise the Lord” or “Praise God”, or “Praise be to God”. (Next time you hear a Christian spiritual using the word halleluyah, remember that it is a Hebrew word.)
Psalm 146 powerfully praises God. The Psalmist begins by declaring that he will never cease praising God. He continues by telling the reader not to trust humans. Instead, the “happy” ones are those who put their trust in God.
The powerful beauty of the Psalmist’s description of God is undeniable:
… (God is) the maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and all that they contain, keeper of truth forever, the grantor of justice to the oppressed, provider of bread to the hungry.
That is pretty short and, yet, soooo complete.
But, by far my favorite part of Psalm 146 is verses 6-10.
Adonai frees the captive. Adonai opens the eyes of the blind. Adonai uprights the bent over. Adonai loves the righteous. Adonai guards strangers, upholding the orphan and widow….
Why do these verses move me? Because each verse represents an important value that God is transmitting. When we read these verses, we are internalizing a message that we must act upon. Just as God “frees” and “opens” and “uprights” and “loves” and “guards” and “upholds”, so too should each of us.
Now that is a message.
Click here to see Psalm 146 in its entirety: https://www.sefaria.org/Psalms.146?lang=bi
Get a feel for how the Psalm reads as a whole. As you study it, cull out the various messages and consider, in your own words, what they are. I would love to know your thoughts.
Now, all together: Let’s start with Halleluyah and let’s end with Halleluyah!
Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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RABBI'S NEW CLASS:
Preparing for the High Holidays
This year we are going to do our Holiday preparation work using a book written by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg entitled: On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World.
American culture focuses on letting go of grudges and redemption narratives, instead of on the perpetrator's obligations or recompense for harmed parties. Rabbi Ruttenberg teaches that, in our tradition, there is a better model, rooted in the work of the medieval philosopher Maimonides.
For Maimonides, forgiveness is much less important than the repair work to which the person who caused harm is obligated. Teshuva, traditionally translated as repentance, really means something more like return, and in this book, returning is a restoration, as much as is possible, to the victim, and, for the perpetrator of harm, a coming back, in humility and intentionality, to behaving as the person we might like to believe we are.
Studying, On Repentance and Repair, will help us to use Maimonides' 5-step approach in our personal lives and to, perhaps, help solve larger societal issues.
Join me on Mondays at 10:00 AM and together we can try to make this coming High Holy Day season one of truer "repentance and repair".
The first class is Monday, July 24th.
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Candle Lighting time
Friday evening
July 21, 2023
8:01 pm
(So. Ocean County)
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SHABBAT DINNER
6:00 PM
SEE FLYER BELOW TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION
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GUEST SPEAKER
DR. ERIC MANDEL
6:30 PM
"Israel at a Crossroads"
IN PERSON AND ON ZOOM
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JOIN US FOR
SERVICES
SHABBAT CHAZON
SHABBAT OF PROPHECY/SHABBAT OF VISION
Shabbat Chazon takes its name from the Haftarah that is read on the Shabbat immediately prior to the mournful fast of Tisha B’Av, from the words of rebuke and doom coming from Isaiah in the Book of Isaiah.
Friday Night
July 21, 2023
Services
7:30 PM
WITH CANTOR SARA GELLER
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IN PERSON AND ON ZOOM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
FRIDAY NIGHT
Saturday Morning
July 22, 2023
9:00 AM
Services
IN PERSON AND ON ZOOM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
SHABBAT MORNING
TORAH READING
Parashat Devarim
Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22
Here is the Parshah
PARSHAH
Devarim (“Words”) is the first Torah portion in the Book of Deuteronomy, the final book of the Torah. In it, Moses recounts events from the Israelites’ travels in the desert.
HAFTORAH
Isaiah 1:1-27
Here is the Haftorah
HAFTORAH
HAVDALLAH
Saturday evening
8:45 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
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TISHA B'AV
Wednesday evening
July 26
8:00 PM
Reading of Eicha
IN PERSON AND ON ZOOM
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RABBI'S NEW CLASS:
Preparing for the High Holidays
This year we are going to do our Holiday preparation work using a book written by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg entitled: On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World.
American culture focuses on letting go of grudges and redemption narratives, instead of on the perpetrator's obligations or recompense for harmed parties. Rabbi Ruttenberg teaches that, in our tradition, there is a better model, rooted in the work of the medieval philosopher Maimonides.
For Maimonides, forgiveness is much less important than the repair work to which the person who caused harm is obligated. Teshuva, traditionally translated as repentance, really means something more like return, and in this book, returning is a restoration, as much as is possible, to the victim, and, for the perpetrator of harm, a coming back, in humility and intentionality, to behaving as the person we might like to believe we are.
Studying, On Repentance and Repair, will help us to use Maimonides' 5-step approach in our personal lives and to, perhaps, help solve larger societal issues.
Join me on Mondays at 10:00 AM and together we can try to make this coming High Holy Day season one of truer "repentance and repair".
The first class is Monday, July 24th.
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July 18, 26
Dance Fitness Class
July 19
WAX Book Discussion
July 21
Shabbat Dinner
Speaker: Dr. Eric Mandel
July 23
Simon Mandel Comedy-Magician Show
July 25
WAX Brunch at Wally's
July 28
Shabbat on the Beach
(Spray Beach)
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PICKLEBALL
SUNDAY AND
THURSDAY AT 10:00 AM
NOW ALSO ON TUESDAY
AT 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Reminder: Pickleball for members only!
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August 1, 8, 15, 23
Dance Fitness Class
August 4
Shabbat on the Beach
(Loveladies)
August 9
"Today's Jewish Grandparents"
with Rabbi Richard Address
August 1, 15 and 23
Dance Fitness Class
August 9
Bazzar
August 11
Shabbat on the Beach
(Spray Beach)
August 13
Annuaal Congregation Meeting
August 16
WAX Book Discussion
August 18
Shabbat Dinner
Speaker from StandWithUs
August 20
Wendy & Rik Concert
August 21
Rosh Chodesh Women's Group
August 22
Active Shooters Training
August 25
Shabbat on the Beach
(Spray Beach)
August 27
WAX Membership Brunch
Speaker: Dr. Phyllis Cohen
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MAH JONGG & CANASTA
MAH JONGG & CANASTA
WEDNESDAYS
12:30 TO 4:00 PM
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THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES
new and special events highlighted
SUNDAY, July 23
Pickleball
10:00 AM
Simon Mandel Comedy-Magician Show
7:00 PM
MONDAY, July 24
Rabbi's Class
10:00 AM
TUESDAY, July 25
WAX Brunch at Wally's
1:00 AM
Pickleball
4:00 - 6:00 PM
WEDNESDAY, July 26
Fitness Class
10:00 AM
Canasta & Mah Jongg
12:30 - 4:00 PM
THURSDAY, July 27
Pickleball
10:00 AM
Torah Study with the Rabbi
11:00 AM
NEW INTERMEDIATE HEBREW CLASS WITH IRA
2:00 PM
Contact Ira for more information
inaira213@gmail.com
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JCC WOMEN’S AUXILIARY: BOOK GROUP DISCUSSION
WEDNESDAYS AT 4:00 PM
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NEXT BOOK REVIEW MEETING
Wednesday, August 16th
Rebel Daughter
By Lori Banov Kaufmann
A young woman survives the unthinkable in this stunning and emotionally satisfying tale of family, love, and resilience, set against the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Esther dreams of so much more than the marriage her parents have arranged to a prosperous silversmith. Always curious and eager to explore, she must accept the burden of being the dutiful daughter. Yet she is torn between her family responsibilities and her own desires.
WE WILL NOT BE MEETING IN SEPTEMBER
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The following names will be read by the Rabbi on Friday evening:
Beatrice Busch*
Anne Einhorn
Eleanor Cohen
Max Selsky*
Sy Frand
Ann D. Horowitz
Shirley Rose
John Dzuna
Walter Sadowsky
Rudi Cohen
Irwin Moses*
Joseph Schiller
Leslie Barrish
Elaine Gonsalves
Tola Herszenberg
Nellie Lichtenberg
Jennie Oxfeld
Jeannette Shapiro
Sam Glasser
Arthur Goldman
Abbey Koseff
Benjamin Price
Rebecca Rosner
Nathan Stone*
Howard Tittlebaum
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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Martin Flumenbaum
July 22
Edward Herman
July 23
Peter Iris-Williams
July 23
Sharon Spina
July 23
Susan Davis
July 24
Lewis Deutsch
July 24
Jodi Stephani Rothman
July 24
Debra Schweighardt
July 25
Toby Meyer
July 27
Stacie Podos
July 27
Pamela Scheer
July 27
Roger G. Rosenstein
July 28
Deborah Smith
July 28
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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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CONDOLENCES TO
Debbie and Gregg Gilman
on the passing of Gregg's mother
Sheila Gilman
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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:
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:
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.
TRIBUTES
SEND ONE OF OUR TRIBUTES IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY OF
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:
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:
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:
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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
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
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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
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
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LATEST
BULLETIN:
PRAYER BOOK:
WEB SITE:
PAVERS:
TREE OF LIFE
YAHRZEIT PLAQUE FORM:
KOL HAKAVOD DONATION FORM
TRIBUTES:
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Rabbi Michael S. Jay
Phil Rosenzweig, President
E-mail Editor: Rose Valentine
Graphics by
Irene Babst
Contributing Columnist
Sheila Weisel
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