Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island E-Letter
August 19, 2022
22 Av 5782
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A TORAH MESSAGE FROM
THE RABBI
Virtually every holiday movie we watch has the obligatory scene of a family warmly sitting down to a beautifully honed meal and, before partaking of the bounty set before them, dutifully (and lovingly) reciting Grace; thanking God for that which they are about to eat. In the Jewish tradition, we certainly have the notion of praising God before a meal (indeed before eating anything), but equally important, and perhaps more so, is the Grace after the meal; what we call in Hebrew “Birkhat Ha-Mazon” (literally: “Blessing on Nourishment”). Indeed this prayer, with a sometimes raucously belted melody, is my favorite part of Shabbat and holiday meals.
Parashat Eikev contains the source Text for the requirement that we recite Grace after meals. At Deuteronomy 8:10 it says: "When you have eaten and been satisfied, you will bless the Lord your God for the good Land that He has given you." I have always considered the notion that we bless God after the meal, to be fascinating. Before we eat, it is easy to thank God. We are hungry and want to get to the food. But after the meal is already eaten, once we are satiated, the normal human condition would be to move on to our next activity, or to take a nap. Indeed, how often in our lives do we forget that even the mundane things in our lives, like eating a meal, are blessings from God; miracles to be acknowledged? It would seem that while some find the satisfaction of a meal to be the end-game, in our tradition, the final chorus is a “thanks!” to the One God in Heaven who made the meal possible.
But, interestingly, if one looks at the Birkhat Ha-Mazon, she/he will find that it is not just about the food. In its entirety, the Jewish Grace After Meals also blesses the land and, specifically, Jerusalem. The requirement to recite it is also, interestingly, not in a “command form”. As Dr. Raymond P. Scheindlin, professor, Medieval Hebrew Literature, and director, Shalom Spiegel Institute of Medieval Hebrew Poetry, JTS, wrote of the Birkhat Ha-Mazon in a Jewish Theological Seminary Torah Commentary in July 2010/Av 5770
[The][a]ncient rabbis cited [Deuteronomy 8:10] as authority for the obligation of reciting a grace after meals. However, the verse does not seem to speak about a ritual blessing, but rather a spontaneous expression of gratitude; not "When you eat and are satisfied, you must bless the Lord" (implying a commandment) but "When you eat and are satisfied, you will (spontaneously) bless the Lord." Regardless, Moses was not speaking primarily of gratitude for the food. Gratitude for the food, he declares, will lead to gratitude for the Land, and it is for the Land that he envisions the Israelites as giving thanks once they experience its bounty.
Next time each of us eats a meal, even if we do not do the full Birkhat Ha-Mazon, we should make it a point, in some way, to express our gratitude for what we have been given. (For those interested in further study of the Birkhat Ha-Mazon, click here:
Eat, be nourished, be thankful.
Shabbat Shalom - Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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Candle Lighting time
Friday evening
August 19, 2022
7:29 pm
(So. Ocean County)
JOIN US FOR
SERVICES
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HAZZAN SARA GELLER WILL BE JOINING US THIS FRIDAY NIGHT
Friday night
August 19, 2022
8:00 PM
IN PERSON
AND
ON ZOOM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
Saturday Morning
August 20, 2022
9:00 AM
IN PERSON
AND
ON ZOOM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
Torah Reading:
Parashat Eikev
Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25
Here Reading
In Eikev (“As a Result”), Moses recounts events that happened in the desert, including the manna, the golden calf, and Aaron's death. Moses describes the blessings God will bestow upon the Israelites if they follow God’s law and the punishments they will encounter if they disobey.
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Haftorah
Isaiah 49:14-51:3 · 27
Here is the Haftorah
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Havdallah
9:00 PM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
join Zoom services:
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
join Zoom services:
Sunday - Thursday
Ma'ariv Service
7:30 PM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
join Zoom services:
Monday- Friday
Shacharit Service
8:15 AM
Sunday at 9:00 AM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
join Zoom services:
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MONDAY 8/22)
Preparing for the High Holy Days with Rabbi Jack
10:00 AM
“This Is Real And You Are Completely Unprepared” by Rabbi Alan Lew
CPR TRAINING
1:00 PM
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
WEDNESDAY 8/24
OPEN Mah jongg/Canasta
12:30 - 4:00 PM
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following Ma'ariv
7:45 PM
Studying the weekly portions
with Rabbi Jay based on the book
"Judaism’s Life-Changing Ideas"
by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
THURSDAY 8/25
11:00 AM Torah Study with the Rabbi
2:00 PM Beginning Hebrew with Ira
HERE ARE THE LINKS:
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AUGUST 22 - CPR Training
AUGUST 26 - Shabbat on the Beach - Loveladies
AUGUST 28 - Rave-Ons Concert
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THE AUGUST BAZAAR
Addition to last week's list of Bazaar volunteers: Art Davis
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HERE IS THE FORM FOR YOU TO PRINT, FILL OUT
AND SEND IN WITH YOUR CHECK
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OR
YOU CAN NOW FILL OUT THE INFORMATION ON LINE FOR YOUR PAVER AND MAKE YOUR PAYMENT AS WELL
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Jewish Community of LBI – Women’s Auxiliary
2411 Long Beach Blvd.
Long Beach Township, NJ 08008
Telephone: (609) 492-4090 - Fax: (609) 492-7550
Dear JCC of LBI WAX Member,
The Nominating Committee has proposed the following Slate of Officers for the 2022/2023 year, with each candidate holding their position for a two year term.
President Diane Buskirk
Co-Vice President Noralyn Carroll
Co-Vice President Jill Denker
Treasurer Suzy Geier
Secretary Joanne Babbitt
Immediate Past President Irene Babst
Please mark your selection below, and return to Irene Babst at JCCofLBIAuxiliary@gmail.com, or 240 Mirage Blvd, Barnegat, NJ 08005, by September 1, 2022.
I APPROVE the slate as presented________________________________
I would like to NOMINATE ___________________________________ for the following
position__________________________.
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JCC WOMENS AUXILIARY: BOOK GROUP DISCUSSION
WEDNESDAYS AT 4:00 PM
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Last week's Book Review was - as predicted - so much fun with the author, Maggie Anton, giving us insight into how she researched Book I of Rav Hisda's Daughter and the inside scoop about the Jewish women of Babylonia. Maggie will be joining us in September when we discuss Book II of this series.
SEPTEMBER BOOK:
Wednesday, September 14 at 4:00 PM
Rav Hisda’s Daughter Book II Enchantress: By Maggie Anton
Fantastic tales of demons and the Evil Eye, magical incantations, and powerful attractions abound in Enchantress, a novel that weaves together Talmudic lore, ancient Jewish magic, and a timeless love story set in fourth-century Babylonia. One of the most powerful practitioners of these mysterious arts is Rav Hisda’s daughter, whose innate awareness allows her to possess the skills men lack. With her husband, Rava--whose arcane knowledge of the secret Torah enables him to create a “man” out of earth--the two brave an evil sorceress, Ashmedai the Demon King, and the Angel of Death in their quest to safeguard their people, even while putting their romance at risk.
A Zoom link will be sent shortly before the event.
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The following names will be read by the Rabbi on Friday evening
Sylvia Davis
Adam Marc Kreiger*
Sidney Pripstein*
Louis Greenwald*
Celine Kolb
Grace Petter
Tillie Schoenberger
Samuel Bell*
Lena Levison*
Samuel Richman
Morris Rosner
Miriam Blaher
Nathan Dondershine*
Lydia Garay
Shirley Halpern
David Hochman
Mildred Rosenthal
Myron Shapiro
Jay Dolinger
David Dover
Rivka Garkawe
Elaine Hoffman Greene
Victoria Kuperman*
Pearl Pepose
Leonard Reason*
Judith Schiller
Victor Zinn
Leonella Patrician
Benjamin Schocat
Ida Grossman
Anna Hirschfeld
Zachary Korn
Wallace Charles Ruoff*
Samuel Weissman
*Memorial plaque will be lit this week.
In this Zoom era, we have been able to have a daily minyan at 8:15 AM and at 7:30 PM and on Shabbat. 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 COalso welcome to share with the minyan some special memories of your loved one.
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Oded Cohen
August 21st
Ilene Greenbaum
August 25th
Faye Deutsch
August 26th
Daniel Ramer
August 26th
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Alan & Robin Kanis
August 20
50th Anniversary
Jay Leistner & Marcia Halpern
August 20
44th Anniversary
Fred & Jodi Stephanie Rothman
August 20
39th Anniversary
Mark Tilbor & Jacqueline Margolis
August 21
21st Anniversary
Richard & Eileen Feldgus
August 23
58th Anniversary
Joel & Barbara Werbel
August 24
54th Anniversary
Elliot & Janet Greene
August 26
51st Anniversary
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Happy Anniversary
Ruthellen & Marc Rubin
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SHARE YOUR NEWS
AND PICTURES
CONTACT:
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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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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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2022 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:
To pay on line
Fill in your information and then
go to Donation Details - then
Other and type in 2022 Membership
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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 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
TUESDAY - FRIDAY
FROM 10 - 2
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Staff:
Leslie Dinkfelt, Office Manager
Mary Beth Krieger
Diane Parzych
Deb Schweighardt
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
Michael Babst, President
E-mail Editor: Rose Valentine
Graphics by
Irene Babst
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