|
JEWISH COMMUNITY
CENTER OF
LONG BEACH ISLAND
E-LETTER
January 24, 2025
24 Tevet 5785
| |
|
|
A MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
In rabbinical school, I was the Rabbinic Intern at Congregation Agudath Israel and, while there, I met weekly with a group of teens to discuss the Torah portion. In theory I was there to teach them but, in truth, I am certain that I walked away many weeks having learned as much as they did and perhaps even more. The great thing about teens is that they invariably ask questions that an adult might not have considered. They can pose queries sitting outside the boxes that we create as we get older. I always try to challenge and encourage the beautiful souls with whom I am learning to ask hard questions.
The teens were not an exception. I insisted that they take nothing they read in the Torah for granted; the words are there to be chewed on and considered for every possible meaning and intention. At the same time, I always set parameters within which to work. Importantly, I reminded them that the Text is holy and that it needed to be always treated with respect. It is a formula that, mostly, works. Other than my occasional need to pull in on the reigns ever so slightly, the conversations were engaging, stimulating and, quite often, exhilarating.
A particularly interesting discussion ensued as we studied the narrative contained in this week’s Torah portion, Parashat Va’Era. We were talking about how Moses clearly had felt overwhelmed by the job he was given. The Torah makes it clear that he was neither a happy, nor a willing, prophet. I pointed out Moses’ response to God when he is told to go to Pharaoh a second time: “The Israelites would not listen to me; how then should Pharaoh heed me, a man of impeded speech!” (Exodus 6:12). Clearly, he wants to be relieved of his special project.
At this point one of my students raised his hand and said that he needed to pose a question that he hoped was not too far off topic. “Why”, he asked, “Didn’t Pharaoh just throw Moses in jail, or have him executed? Wouldn’t that have been the logical thing for a leader to do?” Off topic?! This seemed to me to be a most poignant question; one which I had never previously considered.
So, we jumped into trying to find an answer. We concluded that Pharaoh simply didn’t hold Moses in high enough esteem to be concerned with jailing him. Before the plagues, in Pharaoh’s eyes, Moses was merely a little man representing an insignificant and powerless slave population. As such, Pharaoh saw no need to jail him. Why bother? It would be a waste of time and energy.
The “Moses as insignificant” answer sufficed for us at the time, and made some sense; however, when I considered it after I had left the class, it didn’t resonate anymore. Late that night I called one of my personal “go to” friends; A Torah reader who knows the Text without even opening a Chumash or Torah scroll. “Wonderful question!” was his reply. He, however, came to a different conclusion. He surmised that, having grown up a son of Pharaoh’s daughter, Moses may still have been seen as royalty in Pharaoh’s court. How else could he have gained such easy access to the supreme ruler of the land? In this theory, Pharaoh would not have harmed Moses because the prophet was still an Egyptian insider, entitled to some leeway.
Yes, a good notion; Moses is still a privileged prince. And yet, I thought, this answer may be problematic because the Text has specifically told us that there was a new Pharaoh and, presumably, a new court; one that would not know Moses and would not afford him privileges. Then, late at night, as I was folding laundry (epiphanies often seem to occur while doing the mundane), a new thought occurred to me. It was an idea that seemed so obvious once it injected itself into my consciousness.
My new thought? God was with Moses, protecting the prophet as he went about doing God’s bidding. Even though the Text is silent on this, it seems the only logical explanation. My proof for this solution is that God tells Moses on more than one occasion: “I will be with you”. If God needed Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, God would need to ensure that Moses would be safe. Certainly, God would be with Moses for the big miracles, but God also needed to be there to be certain that every little detail of His plan would fall into place.
Thus, the different answer that resonated with me was that Pharaoh allows Moses to appear before him and speak his mind unhindered, because God is always there with Moses. God is Moses’ constant shield, and the story progresses because the Deity is making sure that all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. What a comfort it must have been to Moses to know that God was with him as he performed God’s difficult and dangerous tasks. Faith can be a powerful tool.
And I repeat, there are no bad questions.
Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay
| |  |
|
Candle Lighting Time
(Southern Ocean County)
Shabbat Eve
Friday. January 24, 2025
4:49 PM
| |
JOIN US FOR
SERVICES
Shabbat Mevarchim Chodesh Sh’vat
| |
Friday
January 24, 2025
Services
7:30 PM
ON ZOOM ONLY
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join Services
on Zoom
FRIDAY NIGHT
Saturday
January 25, 2025
9:00 AM
IN PERSON & ON ZOOM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
SHABBAT
| |
TORAH READING
Parashat Shemot
Parashat Vaera
Exodus 6:2-9:35
Vaera (“I Appeared”) opens as God promises to redeem the enslaved Israelites and bring them to the Promised Land. When Pharaoh repeatedly refuses to let the Israelites go, God sends a series of plagues: water turning to blood, frogs, lice, wild animals, death of livestock, boils, and hail.
Here is Parshah
HAFTORAH
Ezekiel 28:25-29:21
Here is the Haftorah
HAVDALLAH
5:30 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
Sunday - Friday
Shacharit Service
8:15 AM
Sunday at 9:00 AM
Here is your invitation from Rabbi Jay to
join Zoom services:
SHACHARIT
| |
stu’s a-stu-te sayings…..
MY MEMORIES OF HAROLD by Stu W Lehrer
As with our community, we are mourning the great loss of our dear friend Harold Farin z”l – As with our Kahal, I too have memories of this sweet, engaging, and inspirational mensch of a man
We first met him was our High Holidays in 2016 - As we entered the Shule for Erev Rosh Hashanah he greeted us with warmth – Being relatively new JCC members and as first impressions make all the difference; we both felt that we found a ‘haimesche’ place for worship because of someone like Harold!
As I became more involved with the Ritual aspects, Harold took every opportunity to guide and inform me on obligations that would be instrumental in maintaining the decorum, commitment, and respect to keep our services perfect – This included ensuring that our Torahs are kept kosher and the usage our Sefarim [books] among other important items
When a Ritual Committee meeting notice went out, Harold was always the first to respond – If for some reason he was unable to attend that gathering, he would offer his remarks that served as a guideline to meet our standards – When the minutes of each meeting were released, Harold was the first to extend appreciation
When it came to the High Holidays, no one and I do mean no one took command of what it meant to be an Usher for this holiest time of our year along with the Ushering Cadre – He took his commitment seriously and when it was necessary to include heightened security, Harold was onboard to ensure our safety
When Harold was given an Aliyah on a Shabat Morning, his reverence toward this honor was resounding – When he had a Yahrtzeit, and shared a story of the loved one: his ability to be a gracious storyteller was incomparable
One of my fondest memories was when we celebrated Harold’s 90th Birthday that he hosted - A few of the signs actually read: ‘This Shabat is sponsored by Harold Farin in Honor of his 90th Birthday’ – We all actually found it amusing that Harold actually sponsored a Shabat – I pointed this out to Harold who came back with the line [and all said with the typical adorable grin of his]: ‘Of course I sponsored Shabat: who else?’
Harold will be sorely missed and may his memory always be for a wonderful blessing!
| | |
|
NEW CLASSES WITH RABBI JAY
For the next 5 weeks, we will meet on Wednesday evenings after minyan to study "The Lilac Tree" by Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. This book was suggested by Dr. Stanley Spitzer, and it is a good read filled with great information and insights. As always, I will be sending pdf’s, however, I request that you purchase the book for your personal library. Authors work hard to create their books, and that work should be recognized.
Now a little bit about the book:
The Lilac Tree – A Rabbi’s Reflections on Love, Courage, and History is a series of essays reflecting Rabbi Amiel Hirsch’s lifetime of learning, thinking, doing, preaching, teaching, and serving the Jewish people. In it, Rabbi Hirsch observes what lies at the heart of Judaism as it evolved over the centuries, the significance of the State of Israel as the embodiment of the Jewish people’s highest spiritual and moral aspirations, and the centrality of the time-tested Jewish ethical impulse that offers the world a means to repair its brokenness, polarization, and immorality.
Rabbi Hirsch is a rabbi and attorney. He is the senior rabbi of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue.
MELTON CLASS BEGINNING ON MARCH 3
Rabbi is starting a Melton class on the History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict on March 3rd. He is teaching the same class twice a week on Monday mornings and Wednesday Evenings. Additional information to follow.
The dates of the classes are below.
Monday mornings 10:00 to 11:30
March 3,10,17, 24, 31
April 7,28,
May 5, 12, 19
Wednesday Evenings after minyan from 8:00 to 9:30
March 5, 12, 19, 26
April 2, 9, 30
May 7, 14, 21
| |
|
SUNDAY, January 26
Pickleball (see times below)
****
TUESDAY, January 28
Pickleball (See times below)
******
WEDNESDAY, January 29
Canasta & Mah Jongg
12:30 PM
********
THURSDAY, January 30
Torah Study
11:00 AM
Pickleball (See times below)
PJP Program
Jewish Mexico
8:30 PM
**********
FRIDAY, January 31
Studying the Prophets
following morninng minyan
|
| |
|
Thursday, January 30
PJP Program
Jewish Mexico
8:30 PM
| |
Sunday, February 2:
“Groundhog Day”
Movie and light refreshments
2:00 PM
Wednesday, February 19:
WAX Book Club
4:00 PM
Thursday, February 20
PJP Israel Program
The Disappearing Dead Sea
Thursday February 27
Holocaust Survivors in 2024
8:30 pm
| |
MAH JONGG & CANASTA
WEDNESDAYS
12:30 PM TO 4:00 PM
| |
PICKLEBALL
Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
| | |
|
Thursday, January 30
PJP Program
Jewish Mexico
8:30 PM
This will be a visual tour to get to know the origins of Jewish life in Mexico at the beginning of the XX Century, when immigrants from the Ottoman Empire first, and from Ashkenazi places later, made their new home at this side of the world. We will see many old photos that will take us back to those years gone long ago but that can be reimagined thanks to fascinating testimonies.
Monica Unikel-Fasja found her passion in the streets of Historic Mexico City, where Jewish immigrants arrived and lived around a century ago. She has dedicated nearly half of her life, since 1994 to walk around those streets, narrating the testimonies and the stories of Jewish immigrants in the form of guided tours. She has also studied and published about the synagogues in Mexico, and participated in the revitalization of an abandoned synagogue which today she runs as a cultural center. The cultural center, named Nidje Israel, and now known as Historic Synagogue opened in 2010, and since then it has served as an open space for all sorts of Jewish cultural activities and all kinds of people.She has participated with her husband in his creation of Grupo Sefarad, an ensemble of Judeo-Spanish poetry and music. She has 3 children, 5 grandchildren and no dogs.
| |
|
CELEBRATE GROUND HOG DAY ON LBI
Sunday, February 2:
“Groundhog Day”
Movie and light refreshments
AT THE JCC
2:00 PM
NO CHARGE
| |
|
PJP ISRAEL PROGRAM
Thursday, February 20 @ 8:30 PM
Shay Rabineau, Associate Professor of Israel Studies/Associate Director of the Center for Isarel Studies, Binghamton University
“The Disappearing Dead Sea: An Exploration of the Poltical, Economic, and Military Factors that have Given Rise to One of the World’s Major Environmental Crises”
In 1934, a group of teenagers from a Zionist youth and scouting group became the first people in recorded history to circle the Dead Sea on foot. In 2022, Shay Rabineau embarked on an attempt to retrace the route of the 1934 expedition, with an eye on the remarkable regional transformations that had taken place over the intervening 88 years. The research project, which included writing, interviewing, photographing, mapping, and video recording along the way, was the most holistic exploration of the Dead Sea and its surroundings since the rise of modern nation-states in the Middle East. This presentation outlines the details of the 2022 Dead Sea Trek, and in doing so, examines the political, economic, and military factors that have given rise to one of the world's major environmental crises.
Shay Rabineau is Associate Professor of Israel Studies and chair of the Department of Judaic Studies at Binghamton University. His 2023 book, Walking the Land: A History of Israeli Hiking Trails (Indiana University Press) won the 2024 Yonathan Shapiro Best Book Award from the Association for Israel Studies. His research and teaching focus on the history, geography, and politics of Israel and the modern Middle East. Shay's current book project is a work of environmental history that builds on his 2022 circumnavigation of the Dead Sea through Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank.
| |
|
Thursday February 27
8:30 pm - ZOOM
As we approach the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, what is still open to discuss with Germany? For the Jewish community and the world, how do we transmit the lessons of the Holocaust in an eventual world without
survivors?
Greg Schneider, CEO of the Claims Conference, will join us on ZOOM to reflect on the negotiations with Germany and Austria for funding for Holocaust survivors.
| |
Presented by the PJP Consortium and The Emanuel Synagogue Adult Education Committee. | | |
PJP PROGRAMS
As part of the PJP consortium the JCC is privy to many outstanding programs.
Travel around the world to Jewish neighborhoods...Study the ever complex dynamics of Eretz Yisrael...Enjoy stories of famous Jewish commedians,,,,
Zoom link will be published prior to each program....
| |
|
The JCC section at Crescent Memorial Park is available for sales. Please contact Bonni Rubin-Sugarman at 609-417-7148.
| |
|
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 of some of our new products. The gift shop is open during office hours M-F 10 - 2.
| |
New item in the Gift Shop COASTAL COLORS COLLECTION OF MEZZUZAHS. Great Chanukah gift for someone moving into a new home.
| | |
|
|
Lavina Haven Soy Candles and
Essential Oil Soaps
| Resin Bowls and Candlesticks by Seacrest Designs | |
|
The following names will be read by the Rabbi on Friday evening:
Rose Kanis
Julia Weiss
Betty Berger*
Ira Berger
Barbara Black
Bette Cohen*
Stanton Einhorn
Mark Fisch
Lenore Light
Albert Margent
Jean Schiller
Bennett Silvershein
Betty Glassman Sitzer*
Rebecca Weinstein
Beatrice Bernstein
Elaine Dover
Albert Fagan*
Barbara Frank
Emanuel Karpoff
Helen Berman
Joyce Blumberg
Mildred Holt
Harry Jerome
Herman Meyer
Miriam Minsky
Richard Pacharz
J. Gilbert Sholin
Leonard Wolf*
Dr. Henry Abrams
Janet Appel
Rose Chaikin
Helen Cweibel*
Estelle Gordon
Gussie Gross
Jerome Jay
Ruth Karp
Beatrice Koss
Amy Babst
Harriet Blecher
Cantor Hirsch L. Chazin*
Harry Goldhammer
Marvin Kolsby*
Doris Luterman
Dr. Jack David Levy*
We encourage you to join us on the day of your loved one’s yahrzeit. You are also welcome to share with the minyan some special memories of your loved one.
| | |
|
Eileen L. Rosen
January 25
Sheryl Rothman
January 25
Barry Sussman
January 25
Robert Van Naarden
January 26
Richard Alberghini
January 27
Karen Schwing
January 27
Cookie Botwinick
January 28
Carl Appel
January 29
Stanley Berman
January 31
| |
SHARE YOUR NEWS
AND PICTURES
CONTACT:
rvalen1963@aol.com
| |
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
| | |
|
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
| |
|
YOU CAN NOW FILL OUT A GIVING FORM AND PAY ON LINE IN ONE SIMPLE PROCESS.
Go to jccoflbi.org - Giving/Pay
| |
|
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
| |
|
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
| |
| |  |
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.
| |
|
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
| | | | | |
