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 The Jewish Community Center of LBI
E-Letter
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October 14, 2016
14 Tishri 5777
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SUKKOT/SIMCHAT TORAH SERVICE SCHEDULE
 Erev Sukkot- Sunday, October 16 at 7:30 pm
1st Day Sukkot - Monday, October 17 at 9:30 am
2nd Day Sukkot - 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
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A MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
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Quick thoughts from my sermons of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
First Night Rosh Hashanah:
In the context of Rosh HaShanah and life-review, think of our actions as snapshots with each snapshot put into an album. If we think of each photo as being able to be posted and to be seen, we want each one to be as kind and gentle as possible.
Time is precious; Time is not retrievable; Time is not refundable; Frame each picture wisely; act as if every action you take will be what people will know you for; Always be ready for your close-up.
First Day Rosh Hashanah:
God wants us to change to be better. We know that God is comfortable with change, because God changed everything to create the world.
We know that God recognizes that change does not have to happen overnight. We know this because God could have created the world instantly with a snap of God's heavenly fingers; instead, the creator stretched the creation over 6 Godly days (and we can not know how long a day is to God).
God also wants our help to make change. We know this because God has sought out various humans to help perform tasks.
Rosh HaShanah is translated as "Head of the year", or "New year" and Shanah Tovah is "Good year". But The root letters for Shanah also make up the word for Change. So "Shanah Tovah" could mean "Good change". It is as if our tradition is suggesting that in order for a year to be good, it must contain some element of change.
Second Day of Rosh Hashanah:
Unfortunately we are living in a world of increasing anti-Semitism. The anti-Israel rhetoric that has become commonplace around the world and on college campuses, is a form of anti-Semitism.
Support for Israel is a mitzvah, it is an obligation we have as  Jews. Like all mitzvot, there are multiple ways to do this. First, silence is not an option. If you hear anti-Israel rhetoric, speak out against it. Second, Lobby on behalf of Israel. Join me and other congregants in Washington for the AIPAC Policy convention in March. Third, buy Israeli products. Fourth, join me on our very first JCC congregational trip to Israel this February 8-17. For more information, see the trip itinerary here:
Because our God is amorphous, it is often hard for us to feel close to God. I believe that this is because we have a pediatric view of the Deity. We learned about God as children and, though we grew up, our vision of God did not grow up with us. Re-imagine God with your adult sensibilities and permit the relationship to grow.
Yom Kippur Day:
We should each ask ourselves the following question: What if I only had 5 minutes to live?
We should live our lives in such a way that our answers do not include the term, "If Only": 1) If only I had known that this would happen; 2) If only I realized what I had when I had it; and 3) If only I had another chance.
Like a small black dot on a piece of paper, we tend to focus on the negative aspects of our lives. Stay focused on the good.
Our High Holy Days were a great gift to me, to my family and, by all accounts, to the rest of the congregation as well. If I were to list all of the people who made our High Holy Days services the great gift that they were, it would be too long and I would undoubtedly leave out someone who deserves to be mentioned. So please permit me to thank each of you, each person who came to each service as well as the many volunteers who did so much. Thanks also need to go to Sisterhood for preparing such a beautiful fast breaking meal. Thank you to all of the Gabbai's and all of the Torah Leyners and Haftarah chanters (Howard Hait, Aaron Lombardi, Ira Morgenthal, Mark Rosenthal, Don Pripstein, Rabbi Jack Luxemburg). Finally, a Todah Rabah to Cantor Avi Green with whom it is a pleasure to share the Bimah.
Please join us at services for Sukkot. Shake the luluv and have kiddish in the Sukkah. It's a celebration.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sukkot Sameach
Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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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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In spite of the pouring rain and winds lat Sunday, the
18-MILE
RUN went on as planned and some very wet JCC volunteers gave out water to the runners as they passed the Center building. Kudos to Jeri Riffle, Ron Marr, Richard Morgan, Cliff Farin and Mark Cohen.
The Rabbi's final
MELTON CLASS of this season was held last Sunday. The classes were well attended and very interesting.
We could not put up the
Sukkah last Sunday, because of the rain. Thank you to Ron Marr, Cliff Farin, Mark Cohen, Rudy Valentine, Mike Piscetelli and Tony for putting it together Thursday afternoon.
There are so many people to thank for helping to make our Yom Kippur 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
- Howard Hait & Aaron Lombardi: Torah Readers
- Ira Morganthal & Rabbi Jack Luxenburg: Haftorah Chanters
- Flowers: Alisa Molbert & Mitchell Freidberg
- Jody Brusilow & Jay Friedland, Rabbi & Sheri Jay who provided
hospitality for Cantor Green
- Sisterhood: new talleism and yamulkas
- Judith Pripstein: Torah covers and wimples
MANY THANKS
SISTERHOOD BREAK-THE-FAST was as fabulous as ever.
As usual, it takes a village,and we have a great one! Chairing this event would not have been possible without the expertise and energy of Lori Sherry. Thank you Lori!! Thanks also to Rochelle Spencer, Judy Abend, Renee Rose, Renee Hirshfeld, Helen Benjamin, Joan Ely, Lexa Merson, Stacey Vreeland, Dan Shomer, Cliff Farin and Lynn Berkowitz. Thank you all for everything you do!! You are a pleasure to work with and the outcome was delicious! Many thanks again, Jody Brusilow
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50/50 RAFFLE WINNERS
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The raffle drawing took place at the Break-the-Fast. The winners were:
3rd Prize: Judy & Ken Abend
2nd Prize: Renee & Barry Goldman
1st Prize: Sue & Ben Margulies
Thank you to Richard Morgan for organizing this project.
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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
MEN'S CLUB MEETING - rescheduled
Sunday November 6
9:00 AM
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ONGOING ACTIVITIES
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Wednesdays 12:30 - 4:00 PM
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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 |
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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
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GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
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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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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
[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:
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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10/14 - 10/21
MAH JONGG
12:30 - 4:00 PM
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SHABBAT SHALOM
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HAG SOMEACH
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5:59 PM
(So. Ocean County NJ)
8:00 PM
Rabbi's Sermon:
"A Sukkah Is Not Temporary"
Board Representative:
Rose Valentine
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