A MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI

This week we have the privilege of starting to read the last book of the Torah, Deuteronomy. It is unique because much of it is told in Moses’ voice as he retells portions of the story and the laws that are already contained in the preceding books. 

You might wonder why Moses should need to repeat the stories and the laws. I think it is because by telling the story in his words, Moses adds a human element that did not really exist in the first 4 books.  For example, it is Moses who expresses the very human element of “loving” God that we see in the Shema.  

Generally, when we start a new book of the Torah, there is joy. However, the joy is tempered this year because this week we started the Month of Av, and Tisha B’Av (the ninth of Ave) begins this coming Monday evening, August 12th. The 9th of Av is known as the saddest date on the Hebrew calendar because it is the date on which both the First and Second Temples were destroyed. Our tradition also notes other disasters that have occurred on this date. Among others, the expulsions of the Jews from England and Spain were tied to the 9th of Av.

Tisha B’Av services will begin on Monday evening at 7:30 pm. It is the tradition, to refrain from wearing leather shoes, to light a candle, to sit on the floor (if possible), and chant Eicha (the Book of Lamentations). If you join us on the Zoom link you can perform all these traditions in your homes. PLEASE JOIN US IN PERSON OR ON ZOOM!

As always, if you want to lead a part of the service or read some of Eicha, just let me know.

As we prepare for this most somber of days, it is wholly appropriate to remember the negative events of our past and to consider that Israel is in the middle of a war that is likely to expand, and that hostages (living and dead) have now been held for over 300 days. But we should also view Tisha B’Av as a time to think about how we might repair the world, and to recognize that, despite all that has befallen our people, we are still here and thriving. Let’s get to work.

Shabbat Shalom and tzom kal (easy fast on Tisha B’Av)

Rabbi Michael S. Jay

The Gypsy Duet Event last Sunday night was a

HUGE SUCCESS!!!

It is not often when everyone says it went perfectly.

Great music

Delicious Food

Exciting Silent Auction & Gift Basket Items

Congratulations to the Programming Committee chaired by David Shatz with committee members Jill Denker, Diane Hoffman and Beverly Miller. Also helping make the evening a triumph were Noralyn Carroll, Bonni Rubin-Sugarman, Paul Levine, Mike Miller and Cliff Denker as well as the office staff - Leslie, Marybeth and Diane P. for keeping track of the reservations and making sure the room was set up perfectly.

Special kudos to the "Cucumber Ladies" Karen Shatz, Marlene Matz and Ruth Turner who helped Diane Hoffman and her house guest Elena Orgel turn a large harvest of cucumbers into a delicious cucumber dill salad which was added to the menu Sunday evening.

The donors to the Silent Auction and Basket Bonanza are added significantly to the event being a financial success. Our appreciation to: Gloria Cantor, Joyce & Paul Levine, Marlene & Warren Matz, Karen & David Shatz, Karen Fink, Sherry Fruchterman, Phyllis Sisenwine, Phyllis Cohen and Elliot Greene.

Sunday, August 11

Annual Congregation Meeting

Wednesday, August 14

JCC Bazaar

8:00 AM - 3 PM

Thursday, August 15

Rosh Chodesh Women's Program

7:00 PM

Friday, August 16

Shabbat on the Beach at Lovelades

6:00 PM

Sunday, August 18

Marsha Chazin Dance Program

11:30 AM

Friday, August 23

Shabbat on the Beach at Spray Beach

6:00 PM

Friday, August 30

Shabbat on the Beach at Spray Beach

6:00 PM

LOOK FOR INFORMATION ABOUT A

TRADITIONAL SHABBAT DINNER

SPONSORED BY THE WAX

SEPTEMBER 6TH

SUNDAY, AUGUST 11

10:00 AM

9:30 FOR COFFEE AND A NOSH

We hope you will make your way down to the JCC next Wednesday. Your support of the vendors ultimately supports the JCC.

Get ready for some sizzling ballroom dancing on Sunday, August 18 at 7:00 - 9:00 PM at the JCC on LBI.

WE ARE EXCITED TO AGAIN THIS YEAR TO HOST

TWO FILMS AT THE JCC. SEE FILMS AND DATES BELOW.

Again this year with our participationn

in the PJP Consortium,

you can visit Jewish communities around the world virtually.

CONGREGATION NEWS

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