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JEWISH COMMUNITY
CENTER OF
LONG BEACH ISLAND
E-LETTER
June 27, 2025
1 Tamuz 5785
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Parashat Korach begins with a rebellion by Korach, Datan, Abiram, On and 250 chieftains against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. This they did despite the fact that it is clear that Moses and Aaron have been chosen by God for the task of leading the people. What is a community to do when people, without proper authority, attempt to usurp or overthrow the chosen leaders? God’s answer is swift and complete. The Deity opens the ground, and the usurpers and their supporters are swallowed immediately. God’s message is that when leaders are appointed, it is not up to others, without authority, to take matters into their own hands.
I provide the above as a reminder of what is usually the focal point of this Torah portion. While the above lesson resonates with me for several reasons, I want to focus on something a bit more nuanced.
In the middle of the Korach pericope, Moses and Aaron refer to God as: “The Source of the breath of all Flesh”. It is a strange appellation, but it is fitting. You might recall from the book of Genesis that God breathed life into Adam. So, in fact, according to the Torah, God is, in fact, the “Source of the Breath of all flesh”. We acknowledge the importance of this in our liturgy. As I often point out during the Saturday morning service, the Nishmat Kol Chai prayer, during which we sing that “the breath of every living being praises God”, is, in part, an acknowledgement of our gratefulness to God for having breathed life into us.
Breath is our basic life support system. If we breathe we live, if we don’t breathe we cannot live. And breath, like God, is something we can neither see nor touch. For a Jew, breath and God compose our very essence. If God is the universal source of life, breath becomes a source of life for each individual.
The Rhythm of life flows in and out with our breath. If we choose, we can connect with the Holy One with each inhale and exhale. Indeed the four-letter name we use for God, the Tetragrammaton, actually provides a wonderful platform for which to do a meditative breathing exercise. (I believe that I first learned this meditation from Rabbi Paula Mack-Drill). We pronounce it Adonai, but it is spelled Yud-Hey-Vav-Hey. If we pronounce the letters we will note that Yud is an exhale – Hey is an inhale – Vav is an exhale – and Hey is an inhale. So if you rhythmically say the letters, in order, you will be breathing while spelling out God’s name. Do it slowly and elongate each letter. As you do this, clear your mind of distractions and consider the holy nature of each breath.
This year the JCC is celebrating 75 years of Faith, Family, Friends, and Fun. All those years ago, God breathed life into this congregation through the actions of a few people who wanted the Jewish community in and around our beautiful island to be vibrant and full of life. With the help of God, what a job they did! And what a job you, my gentle readers, are doing even today. Keep up the good work and keep breathing life into your JCC of LBI.
It is possible to find God in each breath we take. Breathe out, Breathe in, Breathe out, Breathe in. Breathe for yourself, Breathe for building and sustaining a community, Breathe to help others breathe, and Breathe for God.
Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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WELCOME BACK BRUNCH
A welcome Welcome Back Brunch was enjoyed by 83 JCC members last Sunday morning. Folks got a chance to catch up on their news and to connect with other members. It was a nice touch to have recent Southern graduate Grant Rapinsky playing background on our JCC piano. Grant will be entering Princeton University this Fall. Thank you to the Membership Committee for planning this annual event.
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CONTACT HOWARD BABBITT IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER AT THE BAZAAR.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30TH
HAB2121@GMAIL.COM
215-962-1858
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SHABBAT SHALOM
Candle Lighting Time
(Southern Ocean County)
Shabbat Eve
Friday, June 27, 2025
8:00 PM
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JOIN US
FOR
SHABBAT
SERVICES
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6:00 PM
Services
on the Beach
in Loveladies
just south of St. Clare's Church
Bring your beach chair!
In case of inclement weather services will be held at the JCC.
IN PERSON AND
ON ZOOM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join Services
on Zoom
FRIDAY NIGHT
Saturday
June 28, 2025
9:00 AM
IN PERSON AND
ON ZOOM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
SATURDAY MORNING
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BAT MITZVAH OF
AMELIA BATES
Daughter of
Amanda & Brian Bates
Learn about Amelia...
My name is Amelia Bates and I am a 7th grader at Washingtonville Middle School. I am an all-around competitive dancer, a flute player, a runner on my middle school’s modified teams and a Cadette Girl Scout. I love to spend my summers on Long Beach Island and spending time with my family and friends.
I have been at Monroe Temple Torah School since kindergarten and I am excited to become bat mitzvahed in June. I will make my bat mitzvah in Long Beach Island on June 28th at the Jewish Community Center.
For my mitzvah project, I am organizing a food drive for the Country Kids Food Pantry, located in Washingtonville, NY. I have selected this project because I have been volunteering at the food pantry for the last few years and understand the needs of many in the community. I will be placing a collection box at the temple and would appreciate any non-perishable food donations to support my project.
TORAH READING
Parashat Korach
Numbers 16:1-18:32
Parashat Korach recounts the rebellion of Korach (a cousin of Moses and Aaron), Dathan, Abiram, and 250 of their followers. Some rebels are swallowed by the ground, while others are consumed by a fire from God and others die in a plague. The portion ends by describing gifts given to priests and Levites.
Here is the Parshah
HAFTORAH
I Samuel 11:14-12:22
The Haftarah discusses the appointment of King Saul and the people's request for a king, mirroring Korach's challenge to Moses' leadership. It emphasizes that the king's success, and the nation's, depends on adherence to God's law.
Here is the Haftorah
HAVDALLAH
8:45 PM
ON ZOOM ONLY
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
HAVDALLAH
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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SUNDAY, June 29
Pickleball
10- 1
******
TUESDAY, July 1
Pickleball
3 - 6 pm
SEE NEW SCHEDULE BELOW
******
WEDNESDAY, July 2
Canasta & Mah Jongg
12:30 - 4:00 PM
Singles Club
3:00 - 4:00 PM
******
THURSDAY, July 3
Torah Study
11:00 AM
Pickleball
10 - 1
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Singles Club
Wednesday, July 2
3:00 - 4:00 PM
Israeli Folk Dancing
Sunday, July 13
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Stockton Holocaust Resource Center
Speaker: Director Irvin Moreno Rodriquez
At the JCC
Thursday, July 17
7:00 pm
Klezmer Band World Tour Concert
at Harvey Cedars Bible Center
Sunday, July 20
7:00- 9:30 PM
WAX Brunch
Tuesday, July 22
11:00 AM-1:00 PM
Venue TBD
JCC Summer Bazaar
Wednesday, July 30
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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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CLICK HERE FOR UPCOMING EVENTS
THIS SPRING AND SUMMER
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SURFLIGHT COMEDY SHOW
To Benefit the JCC of LBI
August 31, 2025
8:00 PM
The seats in the section set aside for the JCC have been sold out for a few months. The public will be now buying tickets for the event. If you want to sit close to the JCC section in the theater, buy your tickets NOW before the show sells out.
Contact the Surflight Box Office to order yor tickets.
609-492-9477
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BEACH SERVICES
June 27: Beach Services at Loveladies 6pm
July 11: Beach Services at Spray Beach 6pm
July 18: Beach Services at Loveladies at 6pm
July 25: Beach Services at Spray Beach at 6pm
August 8: Beach Services at Loveladies
August 15: Beach Services at Loveladies
August 22: Beach Services at Spray Beach
August 29: Beach Services at Spray Beach
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PLEASE REGISTER FOR THE ACTIVITIES BELOW WITH THE QR CODE. JUST POINT TO THE QR ON EACH FLYER
WITH YOUR PHONE CAMERA.
A YELLOW LINE WILL APPEAR. THEN CLICK.
THE REGISTRATION FORM WILL APPEAR
FOR YOU TO FILL OUT.
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The JCC section at Crescent Memorial Park is available for sales. Please contact Bonni Rubin-Sugarman at 609-417-7148.
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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. Here is a sample one of our new products. 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:
George Cofsky
William Ginsburg
Jesse Halpern
Elayne Leventhal
Rose Lichtenstein
Rose Sherwin*
Joseph Dicicco Sr.
Albert Jaffe*
Isadore Shrensel*
Edward Mashberg
Jacob Plon*
David Scheer
Theodore Shapiro
Betty Sher*
Rebecca Weiner
Paul Schwartz
I. Sidney Sherwin*
Morris Turek
Minnie Abromowitz
Harry Feldgus
David H. Klaiman*
Joseph Sadon
Bradford Saivetz*
Melvin Mauskopf
Max Strassman*
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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"May God remember forever our dear ones who have gone to their eternal rest. May they be at one with the One who is life eternal. May the beauty of their lives shine for evermore, and may our lives always
bring honor to their memory."
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Nathan Fink
June 28
Vicki Baty
June 29
Joshua Zalkind
June 29
Susan Chaikin
June 30
Michael Lippmann
June 30
Richard Schey
July 2
Lois Miller
July 3
David Shatz
July 4
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Arthur & Susan Davis
June 28
61st Anniversary
Richard & Joyce Davis
June 29
34th Anniversary
Adam & Dana Meyers
June 29
40th Anniversary
Shanin & Tracey Specter
June 29
39th Anniversary
Alvin & Ronnie Konner
June 29
Michael & Sheri Jay
July 2
38th Anniversary
Mark & Heather Pass
July 2
Joshua & Kim Braun
July 3
25th Anniversary
Harvey & Sara Ritter
July 3
54th Anniversary
Alan & Ellen Jay
July 4
40th Anniversary
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MAZEL TOV TO
Justin Brasch
winner of the Democratic Primary
in the New Rochelle NY
Mayoral Race. Justin has been a JCC member for over 50 years.
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Caden Benjamin Valentine
Grandson of Rose & Rudy z"l Valentine
Son of Heidi & Joe z"l Valentine
graduated from Allentown High School NJ
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Jack Crane-Hoffman
Grandson of
Barnett z"l and Diane Hoffman
graduated from Friends Seminary NYC and going to Vanderbilt U.
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Tyler Brahe
Grandson of
Barnett z"l & Diane Hoffman
graduated from Paul D. Schreiber High School, Port Washington,NY and gong to Rutgers GO RU!!
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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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