| |
 The Jewish Community Center of LBI
E-Letter
|
March 3, 2017
5 Adar 5777
|
 NATIONAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING
March 3 - 4
Sundown to Sundown
Do you have multiple cell phones? Take your ipad to the beach on vacation? Ever find it hard to get through a conversation without posting an update to Facebook? Is your computer always on?
We increasingly miss out on the important moments of our lives as we pass the hours with our noses buried in our phones, chronicling our every move through social media and shielding ourselves from the outside world with the bubble of "silence" that our earphones create. 
If you recognize that in yourself - or your friends, families or colleagues-
join us for the National Day
of Unplugging and start living a different life: connect with the people in your street, neighborhood and city, have an uninterrupted meal or read a book to your child.
The National Day of Unplugging is a 24 hour period - running from sundown to sundown - and starts on the first Friday in March. The project is an outgrowth of The Sabbath Manifesto, an adaption of our ancestors' ritual of carving out one day per week to unwind, unplug, relax, reflect, get outdoors, and connect with loved ones.
This is a project of Reboot. The message above and invitation to be a part of this project is taken from their website. For more information including downloading this poster to insert your picture or one of your family, see this web site: UNPLUG
|
|
|
TODAY'S "STAND UP AGAINST HATE" RALLY IN PHILADELPHIA
|
 If you went to the rally, we would appreciate any pictures or comments on the event to share with the congregation in next week's Shabbat Reminder - with your permission of course.
Please send to rvalen1963@aol.com THANK YOU
|
|
A MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
|
In Parashat Terumah God tells Moses that each person should bring gifts for the construction of the Mishkan, the portable Tabernacle intended to be a home for God as the Israelites wandered in the Desert. God instructed that each person must give "as his heart so moves him". No specific amount is given. Rather, the instruction is "give as you wish". The implication is that each person was asked to give however much, or little, he could, but to give nonetheless.
Importantly, the fact that each person did give, meant that no matter how much a person gave, each person had an intimate connection to the outcome. Each person could say correctly, "God is with us because 'I' did something to bring God here."
If God is there and speaking to Moses from within the Mishkan that was built with contributions from everyone, then God is speaking for, from, and to everyone. This is perhaps one of the most powerful messages of the Torah.
The Meta-message is that each of us has the ability to give a gift from the heart and that gift is a representation of God in God's most loving form.
Over this last week there has been a continuation of anti-Semitic activities in our country and in our area. Jewish Community Centers have received bomb threats, forcing evacuations. Jewish Gravestones have been knocked down as nearby as Philadelphia. Anti-Semitic graffiti was painted on a pedestrian bridge in South Orange Reservation in New Jersey.
All of this is cause for concern and we need to remain vigilant in our attempts to stop this activity and to bring the criminals to justice.
And just as I was reviewing the news on Tuesday morning and feeling helpless, I received the following text from my dear friend, Reverend Bill McGowan from the Zion Lutheran Church in Barnegat Light:
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your people. I offer you Psalm 46. "God is an ever present help in our time of trouble". Shalom.
In a time of need, Reverend Bill delivered a gift from his heart. His gift was no less important than those given toward the construction of the Mishkan. Just as God dwelled in the Tabernacle, God dwells in gifts of compassion, God dwells in gifts of humanity, God dwells in gifts of concern, and God dwells in gifts of community.
This Shabbat, please take a moment to say a prayer seeking an end to hatred and bigotry. At the same time, add a blessing for all those who take a stand against the abhorrent behavior of others. Finally, give from your heart.
Shabbat Shalom - Rabbi Michael S. Jay
|
|
Rabbi Jay will be at the JCC on Tuesdays and will have office hours from 1:00 - 3:00 PM. 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).
This is also a good time to telephone the rabbi.
|
|
KOL HAKAVOD CAMPAIGN
|
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
|
|
MEN'S CLUB NEWS
|
Men's Club Program
Sunday, March 19, 2017 at 9:00 AM
This is an invitation to j
oin the JCC Men's Club at a Sunday service,
breakfast and talk by Rabbi Jay on living wills and Jewish death.
Cost for breakfast is five dollars per person.
Please RSVP by calling the office at 609-492-4090 no later than Thursday, March 2nd.
|
|
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
|
MOVIE SCHEDULE FOR THE WINTER
Saturday Nites
Movie 7:00 PM
Havdallah 6:45 PM
March 4 "Crossing Delancey Street"
Havdallah 8:00 PM
March 18 "West Side Story"
Movie 8:30 PM
Havdallah 8:15 PM
April 1 "The Producers"
Movie 8:45 PM
Havdallah 8:30 PM
April 15 "Sound of Music"
Movie 9:00 PM
Havdallah 8:45 PM
April 29 "Young Frankenstein"
|
|
OCEAN COUNTY JEWISH FEDERATION EVENTS
|
COMMUNITY PURIM CARNVAL
Sunday March 12
12:30 - 3:30 PM
Congregation Ahavat Olam
Howell, NJ
see attached flyer for details
There are exciting games and activities for all ages
(wine tasting for the adults).
All of this is free of charge.
We are a part of Ocean County Jewish Federation, the coordinating organization.
Events like this need our full support and participation.
|
|
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
|
|
See this
link for details of activities in 2017 including March 18 showing of "Spaghetti Man" and April 22 showing of "Ocean Frontiers III": LIGHTHOUSE
|
|
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
|
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
|
|
|
TEXT BLAST SIGN UP
|
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.
|
|
NAME BADGES
|
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
|
|
TD AFFINITY PROGRAM
|
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.
|
|
ADS FOR JCC BULLETIN
|
Please contact the JCC Office (609-492-4090) if you would like to place an ad in the Bulletin
|
|
REACHING OUT TO HELP A LOCAL ATHLETE
|
Former Brick Township standout Jake Lakatos, had been appointed to Team USA's Mens Junior Ice Hockey Team, and will be representing his country at the 20th World Maccabiah Games in July.
Maccabi USA will bring a team of 1,250 athletes to the Maccabiah Games in Israel this summer, joining the 8,750 other athletes from 80 different countries, participating in 43 different sports, making it the third-largest international sporting event in the world after the Olympics and the Pan American Games.
Jake's mother, Francine, is reaching out to the Jewish community for help in raising the $8,000 needed for her son to participate.
There is a March 1 deadline for a deposit of $4,000 and April 1 deadline for an additional $4,000. Jake was only notified of his appointment last week due to a roster change.
If you would like to help please open this link for donation options: JAKE FUND
|
|
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 FEBRUARY/MARCH/APRIL 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:
|
|
|
|
|
THIS WEEK'S EVENTS
|
|
3/3 - 3/10
Shabbat Across America
Dinner - Reservations Required
Saturday night:
6:45 PM - Havdallah
8:00 PM - Movie: "Crossing Delancey Street"
Sunday morning
9:30 AM
Tefillin Club
10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Making Hamantashen with the Religious School
Get out your aprons and be ready to bake Hamantashen this Sunday! Everyone is invited to join us.
|
|
SYNAGOGUE ACCESS
|
Access to the synagogue during office hours can be had by pressing the buzzer at the front door or handicapped door.
For services, the synagogue doors will be locked after 8:00 PM on Friday night. Latecomers can be gain access by using the buzzer at the front entrance and handicapped entrance. On Saturday morning, the door will be locked at 9:00 AM for Torah Study with access by buzzer also from the front door or handicapped door. Please use buzzer at the handicapped entrance after 10:00 AM for Shabbat morning services. Access to the building on Sunday morning for Religious School is through the front door.
|
|
SHABBAT SHALOM
|
5:33 PM
(So. Ocean County NJ)
JOIN US FOR SERVICES
| | | | |
