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JEWISH COMMUNITY
CENTER OF
LONG BEACH ISLAND
E-LETTER
September 1, 2023
15 Elul 5783
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As I am writing this, I am waiting for a restoration company to come and assess the damage done by a leak in our home up North. We discovered this problem as we walked into our home this morning. It was an “oy” moment to be sure.
One never knows what is going to happen from day to day. Some of life’s surprises are welcomed, while others (like water in places where water should not be) are decidedly not. And, yet, though the situation is far from perfect, we recognize that it is only damage to property that can be fixed or replaced.
How we react to things that happen to us is our choice. We could lament our bad luck, or we could take a deep breath and say, “Okay, let’s make it better than it was.” The idea of choice is part of this week’s Torah portion, Ki Tavo. Read further to see what I mean.
As I often say at our Torah study class, each time I read a particular portion of the Torah I often see something I had not noticed before. When I look at a piece of Torah today I often will not walk away from it with the same thought I had last year, nor will this year’s insight be the same as next year’s. The fact that this happens helps to highlight Torah’s unique ability to speak in many ways to those who are reading it.
Each time we open a Chumash, or unroll a scroll, we are invited into the Text as the person we are at that moment; it is as if the words are literally capable of morphing in meaning. This enables us to weave our continuing life experiences into the way that we encounter the Torah. What a gift it is that our central Text, while having been reduced to writing thousands of years ago, is not static. Instead it continues to unfold before us like a never-ending tapestry.
The message I see this year in Parashat Ki Tavo is simple and important given the time of year that we read it. You see, in this Torah portion Moses lists a series of curses and blessings. They are listed as “causatives: “If you do “A” you will be cursed; if you do “B” you will be cursed. But, if you do “X” you will be blessed; if you do “Y” you will be blessed.
The separate lists attach the receipt of the blessing or curse to what we say and/or do. More important than the individual blessings or curses; however, is the underlying message. Moses is telling us that it is our choice to do, speak or act in a certain way. Thus, we are in control. The lesson is that our God given free will always plays a role in our lives.
When we speak or act kindly, it is our choice. When we speak or act unkindly it, too, is our choice.
It is empowering to know that we have options, but it should be humbling as well.
We should exercise our free will in such a way that we will be blessed, but also in a way that we will bless others and be a blessing.
Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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Candle Lighting time
Friday evening
September 1, 2023
7:10 pm
(So. Ocean County)
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Friday Night
September 1, 2023
7:30 PM
IN PERSON AND ON ZOOM
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Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
FRIDAY NIGHT
Saturday Morning
September 2, 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 Ki Tavo
Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8
Here is the Parshah
PARSHAH
HAFTORAH
Isaiah 60:1-22
Here is the Haftorah
HAFTORAH
"Look down from Your holy abode, from heaven, and bless Your people Israel and the soil You have given us, a land flowing with milk and honey, as You swore to our fathers.”
Ki Tavo 26:15
LAND OF MILK & HONEY
ERETZ ZAVAD CHALAV
Click below to hear
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HAVDALLAH
Saturday evening
8:15 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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THE HIGH HOLIDAYS ARE JUST A FEW WEEKS AWAY
ROSH HASHANAH I September 16
ROSH HASHANAH II - September 17
YOM KIPPUR - September 25
We hope you will consider joining us for all or some of the holiday services. You can also request seats as well as provide your information about the Book of Remembrance and High Holiday Greetings on our web site. Easy payment is included on the site. CLICK HERE FOR HIGH HOLIDAY SEATS
Please note that this year all seats include a Zoom link component. Zoom is not being sold separately. Also we are again offering a children's program on Rosh Hashanah I and II and Yom Kippur with member Terri Robinovitz.
A special program is planned for Selichiot, September 9th. Dr. Fred Katz will take us on a "Road to Remembrance" as we view Holocaust Memorials throughout the world.
We look forward to a wonderful holiday here at the JCC of LBI.
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RABBI'S 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.
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".
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We brought Shabbat on the Beach inside last Friday night. Member Carl Steinberg added ruach to the service with songs and a duet with Rabbi Jay of Adon Olam. Our JCC kids under the loving guidance of Marlene Herman decorated shells with words of kindness and the shells were left in the JCC landscaping for all to see. | |
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Each week this summer, the Shabbat Reminder has shared with readers the activities that have taken place the week before. Whether it be a concert, a magician, an informative program about Israel and grandparenting or Shabbat Dinners to name a few, the response to the JCC programming has been terrific.
Thanks to our WAX Board and the JCC Program Committee for providing our members and guests with a wonderful Summer of 2023
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The WAX topped off a very successful season with a Paid Up Membership Brunch last Sunday. The salad bar was absolutely fabulous with everything you could think of for a salad. Thanks to Irene Babst anf Noralyn Carroll and all their helpers for a great meal topped off with delicious banana pudding and home made cookies. Dr. Phyllis Cohen held the audience's full attention with her talk on how to find a peaceful place in stressful situations. A wonderful event for everyone!!!!
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SEPTEMBER WAX BRUNCH
September 8
11:00 AM
Wally's
712 LB Boulevard, Surf City
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THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES
SUNDAY, September 3
Pickleball
10:00 AM
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MONDAY, September 4
NO Rabbi's Class
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TUESDAY, September 5
Pickleball
3:00 PM Beginners Session
4:00 PM Regular Play
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WEDNESDAY, September 6
Canasta & Mah Jongg
12:30 PM
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THURSDAY, September 7
Pickleball
10:00 AM
Torah Study with the Rabbi
11:00 AM
INTERMEDIATE HEBREW CLASS WITH IRA
2:00 PM
Contact Ira for more information
inaira213@gmail.com
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MAH JONGG & CANASTA
WEDNESDAYS
12:30 TO 4:00 PM
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PICKLEBALL
SUNDAY 10:00 AM
TUESDAY 3:00 PM
THURSDAY 10:00 AM
Starting Tuesday August 22 Pickleball will start at 3:00 and we invite people who have never played and want to learn to play, or people who want to practice and improve their serve or net play, to attend at that time. We will still play from 4-6.
Reminder: Pickleball for members only!
RABBI JAY SHOWS US HOW TO PLAY PICKLE BALL
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NEW PROGRAMS WITH PJP
Thanks to our membership in the PJP we were able to enjoy a variety of programs last year. Here are the new programming lists. We will send out a Reminder and Link prior to each event. No need to register in advance.
HERE IS THE FIRST PROGRAM IN THE NEW YEAR
Thursday, September 21 @ 8:30 PM
Louis Schmidt
“The Untold Story of How the Stories Were Told”
Louis Schmidt will talk about the genesis of his involvement with the USC Shoah Foundation interviewing survivors, how he was chosen for the position, and the remarkable videotaped conversations he conducted with these unforgettable martyrs of one of world history's darkest periods.
He is the winner of three Emmy and Four Ace Awards and as well as the Silver Medal from the International Television Festival of New York. He was formerly a reporter for LOOK Magazine and a Senior Producer for the National Football League for 33 years, producing HBO’s award winning show “Inside the NFL” for 16 seasons. He's an engaging and charismatic speaker who has shared his story globally, receiving accolades from audiences around this world for his talks discussing his experience with the Shoah Foundation.
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LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON THE NEXT PROGRAM:
Thursday, October 26 @ 8:30 PM
Itzhak Brook “A Physician’s Personal Account of the Yom Kippur War”
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“What Jews Think”
PJP Series
2023-2024
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Thursday, November 2 @8:30 PM
Dr. Yaniv Feller, University of Florida
“Philosophy and Leadership in Dark Times”
Thursday, December 14 @ 8:30 PM
Dr. Brian Gordon Hillman, Towson University
“The Beginnings of Kabbalah”
Thursday, January 4 @8:30 PM
Dr. Eitan Fishbane, Jewish Theological Seminary
“Ideas of God in Jewish Mysticism”
Thursday, February 8 @8:30 PM
Dr. Eugene Sheppard, Brandeis University
“Ideas of God in Jewish Mysticism”
Thursday, February 29 @8:30 PM
Rabbi Dr. Haim Rechnitzer, Hebrew Union College
“What is Judaism? – The Dispute between Martin Buber and Franz Rosenzweig”
Thursday, March 14 @8:30 PM
Dr. Michah Gottlieb, New York University
“A Rabbinic Debate about Slavery on the Eve of the Civil War”
Thursday, April 11 @8:30 PM
Dr. Andrea Dara Cooper, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
“Jewish Philosophy and Feminism”
Thursday, May 9 @8:30 PM
Dr. Shira Billet, Jewish Theological Seminary
“How Jewish Philosophers Think about Troubling Traditions”
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PJP Travel Programs
2023-2024
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Sunday, November 19 @ 1:00 PM
“Jewish Cuba” with Abel Hernandez Eskenazi
Sunday, December 17 @ 1:00 PM
“Jewish Greece” with Evan Kapros
Sunday, January 7 @ 1:00 PM
“Jewish Egypt” with Louise Arwas
Sunday, January 28 @ 1:00 PM
“Stories from Curacao’s Jewish History” with Ron Gomes Casseres
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If you would like to order a paver for this 2023 installation, please fill out the form ( click below ) and return it to the JCC office with payment. | |
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The following names will be read by the Rabbi on Friday evening:
Doris Block
David Gaulton
Klara Newman*
Mary Pokras
Harriett Kravetz
Samuel Lachs
Lizette Harnick Miller
Raymond Berman
Harry Bernstein
Naomi Chilton
Stephan Gubar*
Richard Kaplan
Walter Karp
Michael Kolb
Clara Robinson
Israel Segal
Gertrude Lebovitz
Solomon Opatosky
Henry Pacharz*
Dora Price
Vivian Sherman
Goldie Levine
Morris Shapiro
Lillian Cofsky
Eva Diesenhaus
Willy Hupert
Harrie Kronenberg
Hannah Esh Lowe
Beverly Edythe Schoen
William Seidler
Jerome Shapiro
David Corson
Pauline Ellis Cramer
Beatrice Ferber*
Eli Golden*
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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Rita Fleischmajer
September 2
Sue Rubinfeld
September 3
Lenore Forsted
September 5
Shawn Harwood
September 5
Roy Konwiser
September 6
Debbie Gilman
September 8
Robert Levitt
September 8
Howard Rothenberg
September 8
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Jeffrey Bernstein & Korey Lind
September 2
39th Anniversary
Barry & Carol Hartman
September 3
44th Anniversary
Morton & Roberta Scott
September 6
| DANA NEWBORN & ZACH ROSENBERG | | |
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Lynn & Stanley Berman
on the birth of their great granddaughter
to Zvi & Esther Berman of Lakewood NJ.
THIS IS GRANDCHILD #37
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Sheila & Harris Weisel
on the bat mitzvah of their granddaughter
Alexa Jordon Reilly
on September 2 at the Hewlett E. Rockaway Jewish Center. She is the daughter of Ivy & Tom Reilly.
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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.
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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
email: jccoflbi@gmail.com
web site: www.jccoflbi.org
THE OFFICE IS OPEN
MONDAY - FRIDAY
FROM 10 - 2
CLOSED THURSDAY
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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