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JEWISH COMMUNITY
CENTER OF
LONG BEACH ISLAND
E-LETTER
July 25, 2025
29 Tamuz 5785
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In Matot-Masei, The Torah recalls the 40-year journey of the Israelites as they wandered in the desert and slowly headed toward the Promised Land. We are a people who have always journeyed. From the moment that Abraham was first told to leave his fathers home, until the moment that the Israelites stood looking into the Promised Land, our people were always on the move.
But the journey did not stop once our ancestors entered the Promised Land. Once inside the land, we needed to conquer the Canaanites, the Jebusites, the Hittites, etc. Once the land was conquered, neighboring tribes and countries were constantly attacking our ancestors.
We were ultimately dispersed by the Babylonians, but were able to return within 70 years. We were then conquered by the Romans and forced to disperse for nearly 2,000 years. During this time we were journeying. We moved from country to country. We moved from home to home. We were welcomed in and then kicked out. Welcomed in and then kicked out. Welcomed in and then kicked out.
Finally, we returned to our land.
Because of our history, we inherently know that a time and a place is just that; a time and a place. We see our life as a journey; each relationship as a journey, Each hour as a journey. Live each day of the journey as if it is the day that you will enter the Promised Land. But also live it as if it is the day that you will be kicked out of the promised land.
The goal is simply to take the journey and recognize that our journey merges with the journeys of those before us and the journeys of those to come. From Abraham to us to whom? God only knows.
Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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BEACH SERVICES
at 6:00 PM
July 25: Beach Services at Spray Beach
August 8: Services at Loveladies
August 15: Services at Loveladies
August 22: Services at
Spray Beach
August 29: Services at Spray Beach
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Tisha B'Av Services
Saturday evening, August 9
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SHABBAT SHALOM
Candle Lighting Time
(Southern Ocean County)
Shabbat Eve
Friday, July 25, 2025
7:58 PM
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JOIN US
FOR
SHABBAT
SERVICES
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Friday
July 25, 2024
6:00 PM
Services on the Beach
at 24th Street
Spray Beach
IN PERSON AND
ON ZOOM
Bring your beach chair!
In case of inclement weather services will be held at the JCC.
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Rick Abrams will be joining us at services as our musical guest
Shabbat Dinner at the JCC following services
sponsored by
Sherry & Howard Fruchterman
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join Services
on Zoom
FRIDAY NIGHT
Saturday
July 26, 2025
9:00 AM
IN PERSON AND
ON ZOOM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
SATURDAY MORNING
TORAH READING
Parashat Matot-Masei
Numbers 30:2-36:13, 28:9-15
Matot (“Tribes”) opens with laws about vows, and continues to describe the Israelites’ war against the Midianites and the allocation of spoils. Masei (“Travels”), the final Torah portion in the Book of Numbers, opens with a list of places that the Israelites traveled in the desert. God commands the Israelites to destroy idolatry in the Land of Israel, outlines Israel’s boundaries, and details the laws of cities of refuge for accidental killers.
Here is the Torah Reading
Matot/Masei
HAFTORAH
Jeremiah 2:4-28, 3:4
This Haftorah describes God's indictment against Israel for their idolatry and forsaking Him. It explores the consequences of their actions and the futility of turning to false gods for help.
Here is the Haftorah
Part 1/Part 2
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HAVDALLAH
8:45 PM
ON ZOOM ONLY
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
HAVDALLAH
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WEEKDAY SERVICES
Monday - 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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KLEZMER EVENT AT THE HARVEY CEDARS BIBLE CENTER
" This was one of the most meaningful JCC of LBI events that I have experienced in my 25 years as a congregation member."
Rose Valentine
Last Sunday evening, we were treated to an inspiring performance by the Whirled Music Klezmer Band. Not only did they play songs in Yiddish and Hebrew but in English, French and Spanish as well. The evening was topped off with the audience members forming a circle around the room and dancing to an Israeli favorite. Take the time to click on the video above to view the
"ruach" felt by everyone there.
The performance was enhanced by the setting at the Bible Center and the marvelous sound system (we wish we had at the JCC). Thank you to the generosity of John Oldham, the Executive Director for opening the doors of their chapel to us and for greeting us so warmly that evening.
A special thank you to Jill Denker and Bonni Rubin Sugarman for organizing this not to be forgotten JCC event.
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NO PICKLEBALL
OR MAH JONGG/CANASTA
THIS WEEK
******
WEDNESDAY, July 30
Annual Bazzar
8 AM - 3 PM
*****
THURSDAY, July 31
Torah Study
11 AM
Pickleball
10 AM - 1 N
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JCC Summer Bazaar
Wednesday, July 30
8 AM - 3 PM
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Sunday, August 10
75th Anniversary Gala
Wednesday, August 13
WAX Book Club
4 PM
Sunday, August 17
Annual Congregation Meeting
10 AM
Tuesday, August 19
WAX Brunch
11 AM -1 PM
Jersey Girls Kitchen & Market
Thursday, August 21
Tours of Harvey Cedars
Bible Center
10 AM and 11 AM
Sunday, August 31
Comedy Nite at the Surflight
8:00 PM
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MAH JONGG & CANASTA
WEDNESDAYS
12:30 PM TO 4:00 PM
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PICKLEBALL
Sundays and Thursdays
10 - 1
Tuesdays
3-4 PM Beginners
4 - 6 PM Experienced Players
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Electric Sign on Ocean Blvd and 68th Street
Thank you to Long Beach Township for provding this publicity free of charge.
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WAX BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
THIRD WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH
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Wednesday, August 13th at 4:00 pm
Discussion Leader: TBA
*IN PERSON AT THE JCC LIBRARY AND ON ZOOM
Red Dog Farm
By Nathaniel Ian Miller
Growing up on his family’s cattle farm in western Iceland, young Orri has gained an appreciation for the beauty found in everyday things: the cavorting of a newborn calf, the return of birdsong after a long winter, the steadfast love of a good (or tolerably good) farm dog. But the outer world still beckons, so Orri leaves his nononsense Lithuanian Jewish mother and his taciturn father, Pabbi, to attend university in Reykjavík. Pabbi is no stranger to cycles of life and death, growth and destruction. He is pursued by the memory of a volcanic eruption and its aftermath, and so many years of hard-scrabble farming have left their mark. Jaded, and no longer able to find joy in his way of life, Pabbi falls into a depression soon after Orri goes away to school. Orri, feeling adrift and aimless at the end of his first semester, comes home.
For the first time, Pabbi allows Orri to help him run the farm. Despite their conflicting attitudes, Orri and Pabbi must learn to work together. Meanwhile, Orri meets a kindred spirit on the internet: Mihan, a part-time student. Over time—and countless texts and phone calls—their connection deepens. By year’s end, Orri must decide whether he wants to—or should—return to university, and what a future with Mihan would hold, if she’ll have him.
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THE 10 AM TOUR HAS ONLY 3 SPOTS LEFT. THE 11 AM TOUR HAS 10 OPENINGS. USE THE QR CODE IN THE ABOVE FLYER TO REGISTER. | |
SURFLIGHT COMEDY SHOW
To Benefit the JCC of LBI
August 31, 2025
8:00 PM
Contact the Surflight Box Office to order your tickets. 609-492-9477
When you order your tickets, you can request to sit near the JCC section. The JCC will receive a portion of the revenue from ALL seats sold in the theater.
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The JCC section at Crescent Memorial Park is available for sales. Please contact Bonni Rubin-Sugarman at 609-417-7148.
| | | | Beautiful new jewelry item | | |
We are very excited to add to the WAX Gift Shop items from local merchants and artisans. Stop in to look and buy one (or more) of these beautiful pieces for your home, as a gift or just for yourself. The gift shop is open during office hours M-F 10 - 2.
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CALL PAUL LEVINE WITH ANY QUESTIONS
484-802-0586
SEE ORDER FORM BELOW
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The following names will be read by the Rabbi on Friday evening:
Anna Bloom
Samuel Goodman
Helga Melin
Jack Morgan
Philip Heinish
David Rifkin
Adele Rosenberg
Jodie R. Rothman
Elaine Salant
Beatrice Busch*
Anne Einhorn
Barry Mandell
Eleanor Cohen
Max Selsky*
Sy Frand
Ann D. Horowitz
Fred Mandell
Shirley Rose
Stan Wiernik
John Dzuna
Walter Sadowsky
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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Toby Meyer
July 27
Stacie Podos
July 27
Pamela Scheer
July 27
Roger G. Rosenstein
July 28
Deborah Smith
July 28
Tamara Jacobson
July 29
Carl Steinberg
July 29
Shirley Anne Scharf
July 30
Elayne Simandl
July 30
Jeffrey Melin
July 31
Phyllis Cohen
August 1
Debra Horowitz
August 1
Kalman Ketzlach
August 1
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Jeffrey & Ilene Greenbaum
July 30
53rd Anniversary
Bernard & Janet Barrish
August 1st
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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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YOU CAN NOW FILL OUT A GIVING FORM AND PAY ON LINE IN ONE SIMPLE PROCESS.
Go to jccoflbi.org - Giving/Pay
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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
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- Jon Geier
Treasurer- Stu Cofsky
Secretary- Cliff Denker
Immediate Past President -Michael Babst
BOARD MEMBERS
Howard Babbitt
Diane Buskirk
Lorna Klein
Paul Levine
Ken Podos
Sondi Pripstein
Terri Robinovitz
Bonni Rubin-Sugarman
Rose Valentine
Ken Yudman
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
Representative to the Board - Sondi Pripstein
Rabbi Michael S. Jay, Spiritual Leader
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