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JEWISH COMMUNITY
CENTER OF
LONG BEACH ISLAND
E-LETTER
September 5, 2025
12 Elul 5785
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A MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
Last week, as the month of Elul began, we started blowing the Shofar every morning. I used to do this, mostly by myself, on the 24th Street beach. I would get some interesting looks from others who happened to be on the beach at 7:00 in the morning. Now, at the conclusion of our Zoom services in the morning, Stu Lehrer blows the shofar for all who are assembled on the link. Each time it is a special moment.
Inasmuch as the Shofar’s call is a reminder of the importance of this time of year to us, individually and communally, the fact that there are more who are experiencing the daily “toot” is a good thing. Join us! Minyan starts at 8:15 am but, if you are busy, come on at about 8:45 to hear the Shofar. If you want to hear the Shofar separately, reach out to the office and they will arrange for me or Stu to blow the Shofar for you.
Parashat Ki Tetzeh is full of important ideas which are intended to help the Israelites (and ultimately us) to become a holy nation. One message of this portion might go overlooked because it is not specifically spelled out. However, I believe it is a key to who we are as a people. The principle can be found in the following verse:
If you see your kinsman’s donkey or ox fallen on the road, do not ignore it; you must help him raise it. (Deut. 22:4)
At first blush, one might read this verse and think, “Of course it’s nice to help someone in need.” But, look at the verse closely and consider what it is really saying. It cannot be denied that a fallen animal means that the animal is in danger. But it also means that the owner may suffer (economically or physically). Now, if one is walking quickly to work, or if someone has someplace that he/she “needs” to be, it would be very easy to “ignore” the fallen animal and walk by. However, the Torah is saying, Moses is saying, and God is saying: “YOU CANNOT IGNORE A PROBLEM THAT IS IN FRONT OF YOU!”
So the verse requires us to help our kinsman. What is the bigger message being given? Rabbi Jonathan Sacks explained it best:
…[I]ts real significance lies in telling us what (Israelite) society should look like. It is a place where people are good neighbors, and are willing to help even a stranger in distress. Its citizens care about the welfare of others. When they see someone in need of help, they don’t walk by.
The verse is not just about the fallen animal and the animal’s owner. It is telling us about anyone in need of help. The Torah is requiring us to be vigilant in our support of those around us. Our tradition requires us to continually call out: “Hineini”, “I am here”.
As we continue to prepare for the High Holy Days, remember that the biggest present you can give to anyone is your presence.
REMEMBER #ITZAMITZVAH!
Shabbat Shalom - Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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If you, or someone you know, cannot make it to services to hear the Shofar during Elul or Rosh Hashanah, please do not hesitate to contact the Synagogue Office so that either Rabbi Jay or Stu W Lehrer can make arrangements to sound the Shofar for you, or them, personally!
Contact the office here
| If you wish to order a lulav and esrog for Sukkot, please contact the Rabbi. | | | |
Candle Lighting Time
(Southern Ocean County)
Shabbat Eve
Friday, September 5, 2025
7:03 PM
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JOIN US
FOR
SHABBAT
SERVICES
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Friday
September 5, 2024
7:30 PM
IN PERSON AND
ON ZOOM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join Services
on Zoom
FRIDAY NIGHT
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Saturday
September 6, 2025
9:00 AM
IN PERSON AND
ON ZOOM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
BABY NAMING THIS SHABBAT
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Gabriella Gianna
Daughter of
Benjamin & Danielle Small
Granddaughter of
Len & Sheila Small
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TORAH READING
Parashat Ki Teitzei
Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19
Ki Teitzei (“When You Go Out”) contains numerous laws, more than appear in any other Torah portion. These include laws about the treatment of a captive woman, returning lost objects, forbidden mixtures, the erection of a rooftop fence, rape, collateral, and workers’ wages.
Here is the Torah Reading
HAFTORAH
Isaiah 54:1-10
The reading is taken from the uplifting verses of consolation at the end of the book of Isaiah. In it the prophet poetically directs his comforting words to the city of Jerusalem, personifying her and addressing her as a loving wife and devoted mother.
Here is the Haftorah
HAVDALLAH
8:00 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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ROSH HASHANAH
Erev Rosh Hashanah
Monday, September 22
YOM KIPPUR
Kol Nidre
Wednesday, October 1
The countdown to the High Holy Days began on the first day of Elul (8/25) with the blowing of the Shofar each morning at Shacharit Services (morning minyan) until the day before Rosh Hashonah (except on Shabbos).
We look forward to a special Yom Tov at the JCC of LBI including a traditional Break the Fast following the final shofar blowing.
Here is the link to the registration form if you want to print, fill out and return it by mail.
HIGH HOLIDAY LETTER AND ORDER FORM
Here is the link to make your Holy Day reservations on our website.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND PAY ON LINE
Shana Tova - May it be a good year!
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PREPARING THE SYNAGOGUE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Just as we make our homes ready for the Jewish Holidays, it is a tradition at the JCC to polish the torah silver (crowns, breast plates, yads) in preparation for these holiest of days.
Join us on Wednesday morning, September 10, at 11:00 to polish our torah adornments, have a little lunch and afterward, if you want, play some mah jongg or canasta
On Sunday, September 21st we will have in-person morning services beginning at 9 AM. When services conclude, we will be preparing the Synagogue for High Holy Day services by replacing the Siddurim and the Chumashim with the Machzorim. We will additionally be setting the chairs in the Social Hall.
We can use your help!
Don’t worry about heavy lifting because there will be other vital tasks to be done that do not require strenuous work. Please join us! We appreciate your helping out with this tremendous Mitzvah!
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ONE-BOWL HONEY CAKE
This one-bowl honey cake is an easy Rosh Hashanah dessert that bakes up tender and moist. It keeps for up to a week and travels well, making it a perfect High Holiday gift. With a beautiful bronze, sugar-speckled exterior, this simple honey cake doesn’t even need frosting!
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes Yield: Serves 8-10
Ingredients
- nonstick cooking spray
- 1 cup granulated sugar + extra for prepping the pan
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup strong brewed coffee
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a Bundt or tube pan with nonstick cooking spray. If using a tube pan, cut a parchment circle to fit the bottom and spray again. Pour in a few tablespoons of sugar and tap the pan to coat, adding more sugar if needed.
- Using the whisk attachment of an electric mixer, whisk the eggs till combined. Add 1 cup of the sugar, the honey, vegetable oil and coffee and whisk again till well combined.
- Add the remaining ingredients and whisk till smooth and well blended. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake the cake till a tester comes out clean, about 50 minutes.
- Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Place another rack on top of the pan and carefully turn over to release the cake. Remove and discard the parchment paper, then re-invert the cake so it is upright. Cool completely before serving.
Notes
- To store the cake, wrap in plastic wrap and keep at room temperature for up to one week.
from the nosher
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SUNDAY, September 7
Pickleball
10 AM - 1 PM
******
MONDAY, September 8
Evening of Music with Carl Steinberg
7:00 PM
TUESDAY, September 9
Pickleball
3 - 6 PM
******
WEDNESDAY, September 10
Polishing Torah Silver & Lunch
11:00 AM
Canasta & Mah Jongg
12:30 - 4 PM
WAX Book Group
4:00 PM
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THURSDAY, September 11
Torah Study
11 AM
Pickleball
10 AM - 1 PM
FRIDAY. September 12
Studying the Prophets
following morning minyan
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Monday, September 8
7:00 PM
Evening of Music with Carl Steinberg
Wednesday, September 10
11:00 AM
Polishing Torah Silver & Lunch
4:00 PM
WAX Book Group
Friday, September 12
6:30 PM
Shabbat Dinner
Friday, September 19
11:00 AM
WAX Brunch
LBI Table
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Sunday, October 5
John Kendrick's Broadway Series
Oklahoma
8:30 PM
Friday, October 17
WAX Brunch
11:00 AM
Sunday, October 19
The Jewish Museum, NY – “Afterlives: Recovering the Lost Stories of Looted Art”
1:00 PM
Wednesday, October 22
Boscov's Friends Helping Friends
Monday, October 27
Adult Education: Davening 101
7:45 PM
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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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LOOK FOR INFORMATION ABOUT A SPECIAL
PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT
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What a wonderful final event for our 75th Anniversary. Thanks you to all our members and friends who filled the Surflight for the Comedy Night. It was so special to greet friends in the lobby before the show and to hear the laughter that filled the room.
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Wednesday, September 10th at 4:00 pm
Discussion Leader: TBA
The Avengers: A Jewish War Story
By Rich Cohen
In 1944, a band of Jewish guerrillas emerged from the Baltic forest to join the Russian army in its attack on Vilna, the capital of Lithuania. The band, called the Avengers, was led by Abba Kovner, a charismatic young poet. In the ghetto, Abba had built bombs, sneaking out through the city's sewer tunnels to sabotage German outposts. Abba's chief lieutenants were two teenage girls, Vitka Kempner and Ruzka Korczak. At seventeen, Vitka and Ruzka were perhaps the most daring partisans in the East, the first to blow up a Nazi train in occupied Europe. Each night, the girls shared a bed with Abba, raising gossip in the ghetto. But what they found was more than temporary solace. It was a great love affair. After the liquidation of the ghetto, the Avengers escaped through the city's sewage tunnels to the forest, where they lived for more than a year in a dugout beside a swamp, fighting alongside other partisan groups, and ultimately bombing the city they loved, destroying Vilna's waterworks and its powerplant in order to pave the way for its liberation.
Leaving a devastated Poland behind them, they set off for the cities of Europe: Vitka and Abba to the West, where they would be instrumental in orchestrating the massive Jewish exodus to the biblical homeland, and Ruzka to Palestine, where she would be literally the first person to bring a first hand account of the Holocaust to Jewish leaders. It was in these last terrifying days--with travel in Europe still unsafe for Jews and the extent of the Holocaust still not widely known--that the Avengers hatched their plan for revenge. Before it was over, the group would have smuggled enough poison into Nuremberg to kill ten thousand Nazis. The Avengers is the story of what happened to these rebels in the ghetto and in the forest, and how, fighting for the State of Israel, they moved beyond the violence of the Holocaust and made new lives.
From Rich Cohen, one of the preeminent journalists of his generation and author of the highly praised Tough Jews, a powerful exploration of vindication and revenge, of dignity and rebellion, painstakingly recreated through his exclusive access to the Avengers themselves. Written with insight, sensitivity, and the moral force of one of the last great struggles of the Second World War, here is an unforgettable story for our time.
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We have an exciting upcoming event on October 22, 2025, and I need your help and support.
Boscov’s Department Stores are sponsoring “Friends Helping Friends”, a 1 day only in store and on-line shopping event. For a $5 (or more, if you like) donation to Women’s Auxiliary, you will receive a 25% off Shopping Discount Pass! All proceeds from your donation go to the Women’s Auxiliary! This is a win-win for everyone! You get to do your shopping at a discounted price (Chanukah is right around the corner), and Women’s Auxiliary raises funds to help the JCC!
Boscov’s stores are located in Toms River, Egg Harbor Township, Monmouth, Moorestown, and Woodbridge in New Jersey, as well as Neshaminy and Plymouth Meeting in Pennsylvania.
I have a supply of the Shopping Passes, so please reach out and support our event!
Thank you,
Joanne Babbitt
215-962-3688 (cell; call or text)
609-312-7439 (home)
Jb_toot@att.net
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Jewish Museum Series
This is the first of the Zoom programs brought to our members through our participation in PJP (Partners in Jewish Programming). Look for more information about future Museum programs including "American Jewish Soldiers and the Liberation of the Concentration Camps” and Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience – “Stories from the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience”
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Sunday, October 19 @ 1:00 PM
The Jewish Museum, NY – “Afterlives: Recovering the Lost Stories of Looted Art”
During World War II, untold numbers of artworks and pieces of cultural property were stolen by Nazi forces. After the war, an estimated one million artworks and 2.5 million books were recovered. Many more were destroyed. This exhibition chronicles the layered stories of the objects that survived, exploring the circumstances of their theft, their post-war rescue, and their afterlives in museums and private collections.
Afterlives includes objects looted from Jewish collections during the war, including works by such renowned artists as Pierre Bonnard, Paul Cézanne, Marc Chagall, Gustave Courbet, Paul Klee, Franz Marc, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, and Camille Pissarro. The Jewish Museum has also commissioned four contemporary artists to create new works that address the resonance of the exhibition’s themes: Maria Eichhorn, Hadar Gad, Dor Guez, and Lisa Oppenheim. Treasured pieces of Judaica, including rare examples of Jewish ceremonial objects from destroyed synagogues, will also be on view, as well as rarely seen archival photographs and documents that connect the objects to history.
75 years after the Second World War, Afterlives explores how surviving artworks and other precious objects were changed by those events, and how they have moved through time, bearing witness to profound historical ruptures while also acting as enduring carriers of individual expression, knowledge, and creativity. The exhibition follows the paths taken by works of art across national borders, through military depots, and in and out of networks of collectors, looters, ideologues, and restitution organizations.
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Coming in January 2026, we will also be bringing to our members a PJP series entitled " Jewish Art with Evgenia Kempinski"
Evgenia Kempinski is a professional Jewish tour guide, born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia. With over fifteen years of experience guiding Jewish heritage tours in her hometown, she has developed a deep passion for uncovering and sharing the stories of the Jewish Diaspora. With her family she spent six enriching years living in Israel and now resides in Barcelona, continuing her mission to connect people with Jewish history and culture around the world. She is the founder of the Online Jewish Travel Club, a vibrant community that brings together Jews from different countries through a shared love of travel, art, and Jewish heritage.
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The JCC section at Crescent Memorial Park is available for sales. Please contact Bonni Rubin-Sugarman at 609-417-7148.
| | | | NEW Beautiful mah jongg bags | | |
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. 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:
Israel Gendel
Hannah Kagel
Alvin Smolker
Richard Deutsch
Seymour Fruchterman*
William Meisler
Max Ungar
Charles Alexander
Zachary Lieberman
Regina Kalmuk Millstein*
Milton Schiff
Felice Stein
Bessie Steinberg
Jack Streich
Doris Block
David Gaulton
Klara Newman*
Mary Pokras
Norman Abramson
Spencer Denker
Stanley Finkel*
Margaret Fox
Harriet Kravetz
Samuel Lachs
Lizette Harnick Miller
Raymond Berman
Harry Bernstein
Naomi Chilton
Stephen Gubar*
Richard Kaplan
Walter Karp
Michael Kolb
Frances Morgenstern
Clara Robinson
Israel Segal
Gertrude Lebovitz
Lillian Mandell
Solomon Opatosky
Henry Pacharz*
Dora Price
Vivian Sherman
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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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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Roy Konwiser
September 6
Debbie Gilman
September 8
Robert Levitt
September 8
Howard Rothenberg
September 8
Terri Robinovitz
September 9
Theodore Finkelthal
September 10
Robert Slotnick
September 10
Elaine Sussman
September 10
George Karp
September 11
Julie Lippmann
September 11
Alyssa Sablosky
September 11
Laura Wechsler
September 11
William Klein
September 12
Steven Ross
September 12
Bradley Evan Stein
September 12
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Morton & Roberta Scott
September 6
Kim Hirsh & Jonathan Fingerhut
September 9
2nd Anniversary
Nathan & Karen Fink
September 10
47th Anniversary
Mark & Lisa Schlossman
September 11
43rd Anniversary
Ira & Lois Fox
September 12
43rd Anniversary
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SHARE YOUR NEWS
AND PICTURES
CONTACT:
rvalen1963@aol.com
| Sue Rubinfeld celebrates her birthday at dinner with her JCC girl friends. | | | |
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
Ken Podos
Sondi Pripstein
Terri Robinovitz
David Shatz
Bonni Rubin-Sugarman
Rose Valentine
Ken Yudman
WOMEN'S AUXILIARY
President - Diane Buskirk
Treasurer - Suzy Geier
Secretary - Joanne Babbitt
Lorna Klein
Joyce Levine
Representative to the Board - Sondi Pripstein
Immediate Past President - Irene Babst
Rabbi Michael S. Jay, Spiritual Leader
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