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A MESSAGE FROM RABBI JAY
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wo things about Parashat Bo spoke to me this week as I was studying it. The first is the importance of remembering. Regarding the plague of locusts, The Torah tells us that there had never before been a swarm like it, nor would there ever be another like it in the future. Inherent in this reportage is the fact that the locust plague would be remembered forever. At so many points in this portion the Torah tells us that the events of the departure from Egypt will be remembered. Our tradition thrives on memory and memory is often a driving force in our lives.
The other idea that struck me was the Torah's desire to foster the creation of community. When describing the instructions for the first Seder, the Torah says that each family must consume an entire lamb; however, if a family is too small to accomplish this task, then it should share its lamb with another small family. The Torah anticipates that the community is there for the individual and that the individual is there for the community.
Remembering and community. Community and remembering. This is a large part of what the mourning process is; both are what the mourner needs. Maybe it is also what the soul of the person who has passed needs.
The sheer volume of memories that have been coursing through my head over the last six weeks is immeasurable. Good memories. Not-so-good memories. Funny memories. Sad memories. Family memories. Community memories. Vivid memories. Hazy memories. Blurred memories. Solitary memories. Memories of the memories. One might think that this jumble of recollections would be cacophonous; however, it actually plays more like a beautiful symphony by Mozart.
There is blessing in remembering, but memories are somehow strengthened by the connection to community. It is not just the community in which one lives or in which one works, or in which one prays. What has amazed me is the sense of the larger community. I have now traveled to at least10 different communities to say Kaddish.
In each prayer community I have been welcomed as a member of that community. I am not sure why, but this has been surprising to me. The Torah does tell us in several places that we must be kind to the stranger, and the Rabbis were clear that there are few Mitzvoth more important than comforting the mourner. And yet, I have been moved by the unquestioned acceptance I have experienced. I can report that from ultra-Orthodox to reform services, I have never felt like a stranger. I have always felt accepted as a member of that community.
I take great pride in our own community's ability to provide minyanim to those who need to say Kaddish. This past summer, we provided daily morning and evening services to several visitors who were in their year of mourning. It usually only took a few phone calls, or an email blast, or an announcement at one of my classes, to ensure that we had enough people. But we always had the necessary ten people, and usually more.
I have always recognized the importance of this aspect of community, but now I "know" the true meaning of this mitzvah; it is a good and holy deed. In the future, we should highlight our ability to provide minyanim for this purpose. I am reasonably certain that there are folks who come to the Island who need to say Kaddish and do not know that we can provide this service for them.
In this regard, if you are on, or near, the Island on any Friday night or Saturday morning, come to services. Not only would you welcomed with open arms and even a hug, if you would like one, you would be helping someone to say Kaddish for a loved one.
Remembering and Community. Community and Remembering. Holy, Holy, Holy.
Shabbat Shalom - Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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RAVEL TO ISRAEL WITH THE JCC OF LBI
The JCC trip to Israel will take place October 7-18, 2018. The itinerary will take us from Tel Aviv to the Golan Heights, to a winery, to the Kineret, to a Kibbutz, to Sefad, to Jerusalem, to the Dead Sea, to Massada, to many museums, and more. At Massada we will be sharing in a bar mitzvah of one of our fellow travelers. What joy!
The JCC's first trip to Israel will take place October 7-18, 2018. The itinerary will take us from Tel Aviv to the Golan Heights, to a winery, to the Kineret, to a Kibbutz, to Sefad, to Jerusalem, to the Dead Sea, to Masada, to many museums, and more. At Masada we will be sharing in a bat mitzvah of one of our fellow travelers.
We will be immersed in Israeli history and culture and, at the same time, we will get to better know our selves, and each other.
So far an extraordinarily nice group of people have chosen to travel with us.
This trip that has been designed both for the person who has never been to Israel, and for the person who has visited frequently. Come be a part of what is sure to be a trip of a lifetime.
In addition to a set itinerary, we will have some evenings where we will be free to explore on our own. We will be provided with information on concerts or cultural events in the places where we will be.
The tour is officially flying El Al; however, if you want to fly United, ITC can help you to make arrangements.
For additional information, call Rabbi Jay at 973-865-9534 or email him at [email protected]
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RABBI'S OFFICE HOURS
Rabbi Jay will now be at his office at the JCC on TUESDAYS and will have office hours from Noon - 2:00. Drop in to chat (call the office to make sure he is in and not out on an emergency 609-492-4090) or make an appointment with him (973-865-9534).
Rabbi Jay can always be reached on his cell phone ((973-865-9534) or at his email address ([email protected]).
He is also available by appointment.
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KOL HAKAVOD CAMPAIGN
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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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| WINTER OFFICE HOURS |
Beginning January 3, the JCC Office will be open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 - 1:30.
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| THE WEEK THAT WAS... |
Thank you to JoAnn Ramer for organizing the Movie Nite last Saturday. We had a nice turnout and discussion and look forward to the next movie in March.
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| FLORIDA REUNION |
Join us for the Annual Women's Florida Luncheon
Monday, February 12th
12:00 Noon
At Ocean One Bar and Grill
777 E Atlantic Ave
Delray Beach
(Downtown Delray in Chico's shopping plaza)
Please bring cash!! Will not do separate checks for large parties.
RSVP by Feb 9th
Jackie Avondoglio 561-865-5888
Or Helyn Benjamin 561-740-7499
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SISTERHOOD STUFF
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SHOEBOX RECYCLING
PROGRAM
FOR DETAILS, PLEASE CLICK:
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TD AFFINITY PROGRAM
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Easy money!
Do you have an account with TD Bank?
You can contribute to the JCC without it costing you a cent. TD Bank will pay us on the number of accounts in our TD Affinity Club. There is no minimum number of members. We automatically receive $10 for every checking account and .01% of the balance on Savings Accounts. In addition we receive $50 for any new accounts. This is strictly confidential and the JCC does not know the amount in any of the accounts.
We just received a check for $456.00 from TD Bank. So think about joining this program and helping the JCC to reap the benefits.
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ADS FOR JCC BULLETIN
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Please contact the JCC Office (609-492-4090) if you would like to place an ad in the Bulletin
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NAME BADGES
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If you did not order a name tag, we will be putting in another order. Here is the link for the form to order your name tag: TAGS
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TEXT BLAST SIGN UP
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If you would like to receive JCC of LBI reminders and alerts via text message on your cell phone, please contact the office by email ([email protected]) or phone (609-492-4090) We would be alerting you for example that "Services are cancelled" or "Last opportunity to sign up for Community Seder".
This information will not be shared and will only be used for JCC purposes.
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JCC INFORMATION
THE OFFICE IS LOCATED AT
2411 Long Beach Boulevard (24th Street)
Spray Beach, NJ 08008
ENTER THE BUILDING DURING OFFICE HOURS
THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR.
PRESS THE ENTRY BUTTON ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE ENTRANCE FOR ADMITTANCE.
Mailing Address:
2411 Long Beach Blvd.
Spray Beach, NJ 08008
Telephone: 609-492-4090
FAX: 609-492-7550
WINTER OFFICE HOURS:
MONDAY 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
WEDNESDAY 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
FRIDAY - 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Mary Beth, Tony and Leslie
Office Staff:
Leslie Dinkfelt, Office Manager
Marcie Deutsch, Computer Admin.
Mary Beth Krieger, Staff Member
Tony DrGregorio, Custodial Staff
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Rabbi Michael S. Jay
Rose Valentine, JCC President
SEE NOV/DEC/JAN BULLETIN
with this link
E-mail Editor: Rose Valentine
rvalen
[email protected]
Like" Us on Facebook: Search for Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island and make sure the JCC of LBI: The Place to Be icon shown above shows up
or cut and paste:
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SHABBAT SHALOM
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4:44 PM
(So. Ocean County NJ)
HERE IS A CALENDAR OF ALL CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES
ON LBI FOR 5778
Join us for Services
For the month of January, we experimenting with starting Friday night services at
6:00 PM.
Many congregations hold early Kabbalat services during the winter months rather than later in the evening. Any comments are appreciated.
Friday, January 19
6:00 PM
Rabbi's Talk:
Happy are they who dwell in the House of the Lord. But what makes them Happy.
Saturday, January 20
Shabbat and all the REST
One Shabbat a month, you can spend Saturday at the synagogue. There will be
Torah Study @ 9
Services @10
Lunch @12
Game Afternoon @ 1-3
Mah jongg lessons will be given.
No betting or money
will be exchanged.
You can participate in any
or all of these activities.
Bo
Jeremiah 46:1 - 46:28
Here is the Haftorah:
Torah Leigners
Aaron Lombardi
Rabbi Jay
Please help us create a special atmosphere by not using electronic devices (phones, cameras, games etc) in or around the synagogue on Shabbat and Holidays. No
food or drink is permitted in the sanctuary.
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YAHRZEITS
FOR NEXT WEEK
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These names will be read at services on January 19, 2018
Lillian Kenter*
Frieda Klein
Martin Nissenblatt
Mary Esther Sprague Ruoff*
Helen Tebeloff
Milton Elefant
Phyllis Greenfield
Henry Hirsh
William Jaslow
Jack Kaplan
Stella Schub
Joseph Stern
Arthur Sussman
Marvin Alexander
Romeo Dicicco
David Lipsitz
Esther Sheparde
Harold Simandl
Abraham Robin*
Todd Michael Spencer*
David Brill*
Donald Brill*
Isador Dalinsky
Henry Rosen
Peter Ungar
Erma Glass
Anna Gottlieb*
Edith Konner
Mina Rosenbaum
Joseph Rudnick*
Diane Rudoff
Mollie Segal
* Yahrzeit Plaque - These names are lovingly enshrined on our synagogue memorial boards.
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| UPCOMING SHABBAT ACTIVITIES |
We are planning special Shabbats in the months to come.
Kabbalat Shabbat & Dinner
Friday, February 2 @6:00 PM
Friday, March 9 @ 6:00 PM
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CONGREGATION
NEWS
Speedy recovery to:
Stuart Snyder
CONDOLENCES
to
Norma Hochman
on the passing of her sister
Phyllis Schwartz
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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."
SHARE YOUR NEWS
CONTACT:
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, Kem Spencer if you are in need of assistance or if you know of a JCC member that needs our help.
201-819-3210
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CELEBRATE A MILESTONE AT THE
JCC OF LBI
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The JCC is a beautiful place to celebrate a milestone: wedding, anniversary, baby naming, birthday.
Contact the office for further information. 609-492-4090
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KIDDUSHES
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Contact
the office 609-492-4090
for information about
sponsoring a Kiddush
SEE DONATION & MENU:
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GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
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END ONE OF OUR NEW TRIBUTES IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY OF
ENDOWMENT FUND
Join Herb and Selma Shapiro to help assure the continuity of our JCC, and our ability to continue providing a full-service congregation to serve the Jewish people of the area.
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 name funds will be joined together to be part of the endowment fund portfolio.
We are proud to announce that Judith & Donald Pripstein have joined the Shapiros with a $50,000 donation and have established The Pripstein Family Endowment Fund.
All members are encouraged to help this important effort by contributing to this fund whether as a specific named fund, or as a general donation.
Your gift to the fund can be sent to the JCC Office. Please mark your check accordingly.
A Endowment Fund Committee has been established headed by Arnie Galer.
Space is available for memorial plaques on the yahrzeit boards in the Sanctuary. Here is the order form:
TREE OF LIFE (located in the Social Hall)
You can purchase a leaf in honor of an occasion or in memory of a loved one.
Here is the
Tree of Life Form:
TREE
PAVERS (
in front of the Front Entrance)
Only 4 x 8 and 12 x 12 size pavers are available
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| DOCUMENTS AND LINKS |
| JUST CLICK AND YOU'RE THERE!!! LATEST BULLETIN: BULLETIN
WEB SITE: JCC WEB SITE MEMBERSHIP FORMS MEMBERSHIP PAVERS: PAVERS TREE OF LIFE TREE JEWISH JOURNAL: JOURNAL YAHRZEIT PLAQUE FORM: PLAQUE KOL HAKAVOD DONATION FORM KOL HAKAVOD KIDDUSH SPONSOR KIDDUSH |
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The Jewish CommunityCenter of LBI 
