Dear Members & Friends,
This year, the first night of Chanukah coincides with Christmas eve. This has only the 33rd time this has happened since 1900.
Many of us have family members who celebrate Christmas, some who enjoy the festivities of both.
So often we dwell on the differences in the holidays. This year gives us pause to reflect on the similarities. Both occur in December, the events of centuries ago are retold (the birth of Jesus and the story of the Macabees}, lights are a central part of the holiday (Jews light candles, Christians light up evergreen trees), gifts are exchanged and special foods are served. But most important of all, it is a time for families and friends to be together!
This year, Rudy and I will be lighting the Chanukah candles for the 2nd night of the holiday on Sunday night with some of our family as they celebrate Christmas in their home. I am looking forward to this special experience where we can share the festivities.
I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday.
Rose Valentine
President, JCC of LBI
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A HOLIDAY MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
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There is a well-known discussion in the Talmud (at least it is well known in Rabbinic circles) in which the Rabbis ponder why we light the Menorah in the fashion that we do. Why do we light one candle the first night and two candles the second night, and so on, and so on? For a full explanation of the discussion, email or call me and I would love spend time learning together.
In short, we light the menorah in accordance with the ruling of Hillel our great sage who lived between 110 BCE and 10 CE. Most of us probably know the name Hillel. If not for the houses that bear his name on college campuses, then we know Hillel for one of his famed aphorisms. It is Hillel who said:
"That which is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is explanation; now go and study."
The main reason given by the school of Hillel, for why we light the Menorah in ascending order, is essentially that
we should increase in matters of sanctity, and not reduce. Miracles should grow, not shrink. Hillel's point would appear to be that by increasing the candles we increase the glow. The brighter the glow, the more the miracle is extolled. Another way to look at it is that if the candles represent an acknowledgement of God's miracles, then by adding a candle each night, we are metaphorically increasing those miracles.
One candle is surely enough to blot out darkness, but we make the nights increasingly magnificent when we add candles.
However, there is also another way to look at this. If each candle represents a mitzvah, then each night, when we add a candle, we are increasing the mitzvoth we do. So with each successive night, our mitzvoth grow. Each time we do a Mitzvah, we are making the world a better place. When we compound those mitzvoth, our ability to repair the world gets stronger.
We might not see this ability to make the world better with just one candle. We might not be able to see it with just two candles. But by the time we get to eight candles, it is clear that there is power in what we do. By adding candles incrementally, we are showing that we don't have to do everything at once.
If we multiply those candles by the number of menorahs that are lit in our homes, and that are lit in our towns, and that are lit in our country, and that are lit in the world. The power for good change becomes immeasurable.
May each candle that is lit this year represent a mitzvah yet to be performed, and may the sum of those mitzvoth be a brighter, safer, and more enlightened world. Amen.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Urim 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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MAZEL TOV to the MEN'S CLUB who held their first activity last Sunday. Everyone had a great time bowling together at the Thunderbird Lanes in Manahawkin. Thank you to Ira Morganthal for putting it all together and to Sisterhood for treating our Religious School students to a fun afternoon.
Special recognition goes to Rabbi Jay who bowled a 193!
Here is our Junior All-Star Bowling Team:
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Abigail Krill |
Emilie Krill
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THANK YOUS
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Thank you to Ina Morganthal, Ira Morganthal, Rona Stein and Jody Brusilow for helping to get the Membership Renewal mailing ready to be sent out to you.
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UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
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MOVIE SCHEDULE FOR THE WINTER
Saturday Nites 7:00 PM
Havdallah 6:45 PM
January 7 "Fiddler on the Roof"
January 21 "Schindler's List"
February 4 "Blazing Saddles"
February 18 "Yentl"
March 4 "Crossing Delancey Street"
March 18 "West Side Story"
April 1 "The Producers"
April 15 "Sound of Music"
April 29 "Young Frankenstein"
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COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
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JCC Members Helen Gross and Joanne Ramer are putting together a Chanukah Party at the Holiday Inn on Rt. 72 in Manahawkin on Tuesday Dec.27th at 3:30 pm..There will be wine and latkes.The price is under $25.00 per person...Please call Helen asap....609 607 0005 .
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GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
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STOCK DONATIONS
T
here is still time to make a Stock Donation to the JCC of LBI in 2016. Two ways to save on your taxes- If you donate a stock that has appreciated, you don't pay a capital gains tax on the increase in value, and of course you claim the donation as a charitable contribution. In this manner you help the JCC with your stock donation, and help yourself.
Your stock broker knows how to do this and the JCC can be of assistance. It's easy, and a good way to help the JCC stay healthy
f
inancially.
Your gift to the 5777 High Holiday Appeal is vital to the operation of the JCC of LBI. We depend on your generous support.
You should have received an Appeal letter a few weeks ago. Please take a few minutes to reflect on how your contribution can make a difference and return your card and appeal donation in the envelope provided. If you can't find the card, that's okay - you can send your appeal contribution to the office (2411 Long Beach Blvd., Spray Beach, NJ 08008) noting that it is for the High Holiday Appeal Campaign.
MORRIS L. SHAPIRO ENDOWMENT FUND
All organizations should have a substantial endowment fund to ensure 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 DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 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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12/23 - 12/30
Friday 12/23
6:30 PM
Chanukah Dinner
Saturday
FIRST NIGHT OF CHANUKAH
Sunday
10:00 AM
meet at the hospital lobby
Christmas Visit with patients at SOMC
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SHABBAT SHALOM
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4:19 PM
(So. Ocean County NJ)
JOIN US FOR SERVICES
Friday, December 23, 2016
8:00 PM
Rabbi's Sermon:
"All You Need Is Love"
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