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A MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
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Quick highlights from my first day Rosh Hashanah sermon:
The Word "Shanah" which we usually translate as "year", can also mean "change". Thus, when we say Shanah Tovah, in addition to "Good year", we could also be saying "good change". Indeed the High Holy Days are, in many respects about change, and our recognition of the need to change for the better individually and as a community.
God is continually seeking change. The creation story is about God changing the world from chaos to order. In this way, God began to repair the universe. For purposes not completely understood by us, God did not complete the creation process and seeks partnership with us in order fully repair the world. God created us in God's image. We are therefore "co-creators" with God.
We know God wants us to change. We know this from the stories we read in the Torah. God called to Abraham and sought him to change from being an idolater to recognizing the One True God. God called to Moses and sought him to change from being a Shepherd to leading the Israelites out of Egypt. God called on Esther to change from a Hebrew to a queen in order to save our people from Haman.
In each of these instances, the change did not happen overnight. The story took time to unfold, the people evolved. Change happened incrementally. And how do we know that change over time is God's plan? Look again to the creation story.
God could have snapped the Godly fingers and said let the world be complete. Instead, God created the world in 6 days, a little piece at a time. And after each incremental step God says "It is good", as if to say not only that the end result was good, but that the method of the creation, the step-by-step manner in which it occurred, was good as well.
Further proof comes in the redemption story. We were slaves for over 400 years before God decided to free us. And once we were freed, we wandered in the desert for 40 years. Indeed biblical change occurs over time.
And how do we know that God wants our help in creating change? The first place to look is the fact that God created man and then placed him in the Garden of Eden to tend it. Additionally, God has, over time, called on any number of people to help change and perfect the world. Look at the list of our Biblical heroes who were agents of change. In each instance, the Holy One could have accomplished a task without human help. And yet God always sought our input.
And how do we know that holiness requires human contribution. Look at the things that we consider holy. They do not become fully holy until we insert our humanity into them. Look at the Torah. It is a scroll of parchment and ink and wood. To be sure we see the scroll as holy, and the words as holy. But the Torah does not become fully and undeniably imbued with holiness until we read it. The Torah's holiness is increased when we discuss it and live by it and make it a part of our lives.
And look at our beautiful JCC building. It is a spectacular building that has been built and decorated with the intent that it be a holy space. However, it does not reach its holy potential until we sit in it and pray together.
Finally, look at the Shofar. It is merely a ram's horn. It is not until we press our lips against it and blow into it, once we insert our humanity into it, that it becomes a holy Shofar.
God seeks change for the better. The change God seeks does not have to happen over night. God seeks our input into the change. God calls on us to be the agents of change and to help perfect the world. Our tradition teaches us to want to answer the call. Our tradition teaches us to want to be the answer.
As we enter Shabbat Teshuvah, the Shabbat of Return, May this be the year that we recognize the changes that we need to make in ourselves. May enough of us change so that the world truly becomes a better place.
Shabbat Shalom and L'Shanah Tova U'metukah Tikateivu (May you be inscribed for a good and sweet new year) - Rabbi Michael S. Jay
Here is Rabbi Jay's parody on the Beatles classic :"Let it Be"
Hear our plea,
Hear our plea,
Hear our plea,
Hear our plea
Help us be the answer,
Hear our plea.
To see the entire song click on this PLEA
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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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THE WEEK THAT WAS...
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There are so many people to thank for helping to make our Rosh Hashanah service so special:
- Rabbi Michael Jay & Cantor Avi Green for leading a beautiful service
- Carole Nunberg for reservations, tickets and the Book of Remembrance
- Lynn Berkowitz and her helpers Kayla & Zachary Lombardi for the Children's Service
- Cliff Farin & Mark Cohen: Ushers
- Harris Weisel, Howard Hait, Ira Morganthal, Stan Berman: Gabbaim
- Mark Rosenthal, Howard Hait, Aaron Lombardi: Torah Readers
- Ira Morganthal & Don Pripstein: Haftorah Chanters
- Shofar Blowers: The Chilton Family
- Flowers: Eileen & Mark Rosen
- Ann Newman, Jody & Jay Bruslow, Rabbi & Sheri Jay, Don & Judith Pripstein, Rose & Rudy Valentine for providing hospitality for Cantor Green
- Spray Beach Yacht Club: a place to hold Taschlich
- Sisterhood: new talleism and yamulkas
- Judith Pripstein: Torah covers and wimples
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UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
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MOVIE NITE AT THE JCC
Saturday nite, October 22
7:00 PM
Showing "Exodus" 1960
A TASTE OF MELTON
"We Are What We Remember"
A 4-Part Class with Rabbi Jay
FINAL CLASS Sunday, October 9.
10 - 12 Noon
MEN'S CLUB MEETING
Sunday October 9
9:00 AM
 18-MILE RUN
Sunday, October 9
Race Starts At 10:30 AM in Holgate
The race is dedicated to the 11 Israeli athletes slain by terrorists at the 1972 Munich
Olympics and the thousands who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
The JCC has a water station in front of our building. If you want to help cheer on the runners and hand out water, please contact Mark Cohen, Men's Club coordinator:
lasv_us@yahoo.com
If you want to participate in the run, here is the registration form:
RUN FORM
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ONGOING ACTIVITIES
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Wednesdays 12:30 - 4:00 PM
NO MAH JONGG 10/12
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WE ARE GOING TO ISRAEL - JOIN US
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Explore Israel with the Montebello Jewish Center and the Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island
Led by Rabbi Richard Hammerman and
Rabbi Michael S. Jay
February 8 -17, 2017
To see details and the itinerary, see this link
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| COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
Sunday, October 30 - Sunday, November 20
Click on this site for a sneak preview of the films and show dates and times: FESTIVAL
All films will be screened at the
Marquee Cinemas - Orchard 10
1311 Route 37 West
Toms River, New Jersey 08755
(Adjacent to Ruby Tuesday)
General Admission is $10.00 per ticket.
Tickets purchased at the door are $12.00 per ticket and based on availability. Series packages are also available.
For additional information or directions -
Phone: 732-363-0530
Email: filmfest@ocjf.org
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GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
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50/50 RAFFLE
Our annual tickets have been sent out to our members. Please participate in this fund raiser. The drawing is at the end of Yom Kippur, October 12. Additional tickets can be requested from the JCC office.
MORRIS L. SHAPIRO ENDOWMENT FUND
All organizations should have a substantial endowment fund to insure its continuation. Except for dire emergencies, the principal amounts in the fund cannot be used to run the organization. Interest earned from the account may be used. As previously announced, Herb and Selma Shapiro have created a JCC Endowment Fund to honor Herb's father. It will be known as "The Morris L. Shapiro Endowment Fund at the JCC of LBI " The Shapiros have generously pledged a total of $50,000 to fund this. While initially established by the Shapiros, anyone may contribute to this important fund.
Join Herb and Selma in helping assure the continuity of our JCC, and our ability to continue providing a full-service congregation to serve the Jewish people of the area. All members are encouraged to help this important effort by contributing to this Fund.
Your gift to the fund can be sent to the JCC Office. Please mark your check accordingly.
AUDIO/VISUAL PROJECT
We are very excited about the decision of the Board of Directors to pursue the enhancement of the audio system for the JCC of LBI as well as the purchase of a projection system. This multi-phased project will allow us to become a venue for expanded programming and opens us up to many wonderful opportunities for future planning. Your gift large or small is much appreciated. Please send your contribution to the JCC office: 2411 Long Beach Blvd., Spray Beach, NJ 08008 and note on the memo line A/V Project.
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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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: BADGES
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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 (jccoflbi@gmail.com) 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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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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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
OFFICE HOURS:
MONDAY 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
TUESDAY 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
WEDNESDAY 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
THURSDAY 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
FRIDAY - 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Office Staff:
Jeri Riffle, Executive Director
Leslie Dinkfelt, Office Manager
Marcie Deutsch, Computer Admin.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Rabbi Michael S. Jay
Rose Valentine, JCC President
VIEW THE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER BULLETIN
with this link
E-mail Editor: Rose Valentine
rvalen
1963@aol.com
"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:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jewish-Community-Center-of-Long-Beach-Island/345647489300?ref=br_tf
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THIS WEEK'S EVENTS
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10/7 - 10/14
Sunday
9:00 - 10:00 AM
Men's Club Meeting
10:00 AM - 12 Noon
A Taste of Melton Class with the Rabbi
10:00 AM
Set up Water Station for the 18 Mile Run
Followed by the building of the Sukkah
A BUSY SUNDAY!!!!
Tuesday
Final day to return 50/50 Raffle Tickets
NO MAH JONGG THIS WEEK
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SHABBAT SHALOM
&
GUT YOM TOV
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6:10 PM
(So. Ocean County NJ)
YOM KIPPUR CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES
(So. Ocean County)
Tuesday
October 11, 2016
6:04 PM
JOIN US FOR SERVICES
Shabbat Shuva
occurs during the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Only one Shabbat can occur between these dates. This Shabbat is named after the first word of the Haftarah and literally means "Return!"
Friday,October 7, 2016
8:00 PM
Healing Service
7:15 PM
prior to Shabbat Service
Rabbi's Sermon:
Yom Kippur Prayer Primer
Board Representative:
Rose Valentine
Oneg Shabbat
sponsored by
Marcia Nelson & Family
in thanks for all your well wishes during this time. Best wishes to all for a happy and most of all healthy new year.
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Torah Study
9:00 AM
Services
10:00 AM
Vayeilech
Deuteronomy 31:1 - 31:30
PARSHAH
Hosea 14:2 - 10
Micah 7:18 - 20
Joel 2:15 - 27
Torah Reader:
Aaron Lombardi
YOM KIPPUR CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES
(So. Ocean County)
6:04 PM
Please contact the Rabbi if you want to order your own
luluv and esrog
Erev Succoth- Sunday, October 16 at 7:30 pm
First Day Succoth - Monday, October 17 at 9:30 am
Second Day Succoth - Tuesday, October 18 at 9:30 am
Shemini Atzeret (including Yizkor)
-
Monday, October 24 at 9:30 am
Erev Simchat Torah - Monday, October 24 at 6:00 pm
Simchat Torah - Tuesday, October 25 at 9:30 am
 SUPPA IN THE SUKKA
Monday, October 24th
6:00
call the office to make your reservation
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 October 7, 2016
Isadore Brecher
Helen Koseff*
Leon Segal
Dorothy Sherry*
Helaine Bennett
Zena Josephson*
Michael Norman Kreiger*
Leo Slomovitz
Stuart Elkind
Jill Sisenwine Berger
Arther Landau
Bertha landau
Philip Millstein*
Karl Rebarber
Hannah Resnek
Freda Black
Sara Jacobs Fink*
Arthur Petter
Beatrice Smith*
Madeliene Margolis
Dina Singer
Belle Wolpert
* Yahrzeit Plaque - These names are lovely enshrined on our synagogue memorial boards.
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CONGREGATION
NEWS
CONDOLENCES
TO
NITA SHAPIRO
on the passing of her sister
Lisa Brief
"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."
LORI SHOMER
recovering from surgery
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SHARE YOUR NEWS
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, Joy Kern, if you are in need of assistance or if you know of a JCC member that needs our help.
609- 978-3669
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KIDDISHES
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Contact Lynn Berkowitz
or Rose Valentine
for information about
sponsoring a Kiddish
609-709-3160
973-632-0913
SEE NEW DONATION & MENU
Sponsorship includes:
*Printed acknowledgement on the food table, in
the Shabbat Reminder email and in the Shabbat program
*Verbal, public acknowledgement from the bimah during services.
HOLIDAY KIDDISHES
One of the nicest experiences during the holidays is to have lunch in the Succah after Succoth Services.
Thank you to RONA STEIN and LEXA MERSON for sponsoring our Succoth Luncheons this year.
Sponsorship is also available for Shemini Azeret 10/24
& Simchat Torah 10/25.
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SISTERHOOD STUFF
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SHOE BOX RECYCLING
We are again collecting gently worn, paired men's, women's and kids shoes that are still reusable and re-wearable (no ski boots, ice skates, roller blades, flip flops, crocs or bedroom slippers). Please bring them to the JCC during office hours.
"Let's clean up our closets and the environment by recycling our shoes."
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COOK BOOKS
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 The office ha a few copies of Puzzle Israel cookbook, "Yalla, Let's Cook" for sale for $20.00. Proceeds from the sale will go to the Lone Soldier Center, whose mission is to assist lone soldiers before, during and after their army service. They provide them with food, laundry, basic necessities, equipment, advice, seminars, social events, monthly Shabbat meals and more. A "lone soldier" is an IDF soldier with no family in Israel to support him or her. A lone soldier may be a new immigrant, a volunteer from abroad, an orphan or an individual from a broken home.
And don't forget our Sisterhood Cookbook.
Great recipes from our best JCC cooks. Perfect for ideas for your holiday meals. Call the office. $10.00.
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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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| DOCUMENTS AND LINKS |
| JUST CLICK AND YOU'RE THERE!!! SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER BULLETIN: BULLETIN
WEB SITE: JCC WEB SITE MEMBERSHIP FORMS MEMBERSHIP PAVERS: PAVERS TREE OF LIFE TREE SISTERHOOD GIFT SHOP CATALOG GIFT JEWISH JOURNAL: JOURNAL YAHRZEIT PLAQUE FORM: PLAQUE KOL HAKAVOD DONATION FORM KOL HAKAVOD |
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The Jewish Community Center of LBI 
