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A TORAH MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
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The book of Exodus ends in epic form with God "moving in" with the Israelites as the Deity descends upon, and into, the Mishkan, the portable Tabernacle. The move to "dwell" among God's people is an attempt to strengthen the relationship.
Compared to the glorious story telling of Exodus, Vayikra (The Book of Leviticus) is downright tedious. Law, after law, after law, does not make for exciting text. However, look where the Book starts. It begins with a laundry list of sacrifices. We are told what the sacrifice is for, what should be sacrificed, how to make the sacrifice, when to bring the sacrifice, and who will administer the sacrifice. (Indeed, each sacrifice represents a micro-story in and of itself, but that is a topic for another post.)
While at first glance the sacrificial text is simply boring, if we connect it to the ending of Exodus, there is a fascinating and important sub-text. In Exodus, God is seeking the Israelites. In Leviticus, through the various sacrifices, the people are seeking God.
Like any good relationship, there are open and vibrant conversations going back and forth. There is a rich and honest dialogue. There is no hiding behind anonymity. There are no secrets. This openness fosters clear and honest discourse where both God and the Israelites know where each stands and what is expected of each of them.
Indeed, one of the hallmarks of our Torah and our Tradition, is its decision to reveal absolutely everything. The Torah goes to great lengths to expose imperfections. Through the Text we see the flaws of the people, the flaws of the leaders and, to the extent that they exist, even the flaws of God's plans.
The Torah understands that when people can be held directly accountable for the things they do and the positions they take, they tend to act more appropriately, with vision, care, thoughtfulness, and full consideration.
What is God's gift to the Israelites? The Deity demands open communication, open discourse, and open responsibility. The end result may not be perfection, but it will lead to trustworthiness and honesty.
You cannot be a "light to the nations" if you permit yourself to operate in the dark.
Shabbat Shalom - Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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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.
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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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UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
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INTERFAITH SHABBAT
Friday
, May 5
Guest Speaker:
Pastor Roy W. Minnix Jr.
Pastor Minnix Is a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary and has served in the ministry for 44 years at 4 different parishes in South Dakota, New York, Maryland and most recently in Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey. He has been involved in a ministry to the American Indians, community organizing, with a focus on community policing, and has served as the Director of a Christmas In April program, serving families in need In Ocean County. Roy and Anita, his wife of 47 years have 3 adult children and 7 grandchildren. They have also provided foster care to 23 children and sponsored 4 refugee families. Now retired, Pastor Minnix is busy as a vacancy pastor and an addiction and mental health counselor, as well as a Student of the Torah. Indeed, he is a regular at the JCC's Torah Study Class every Saturday morning.
- Island Singers will perform
- Special Oneg Shabbat prepared by the Sisterhood
OPEN MAH JONGG
starts up again on
Wednesday
MITZVAH DAY 
Join us for our first Mitzvah Day
Sunday morning, May 21
We will be preparing the building for the season, doing some planting of flowers, touch-ups here and there and getting the Center & Rabbi's house all spruced up.
MOVIE SCHEDULE
Saturday Nites
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"
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AD JOURNAL
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On Sunday evening, June 25 we are holding our
"Five 'N Thrivin" Gala Event
in the JCC Social Hall.
Honored Founders:
Selma & Herb Shapiro
and Builders:
Edd Dreyfus, Sherry Fruchterman & Jeffrey Shapiro
It will be a wonderful evening, enhanced by an ad journal to be distributed that evening and at the two other events planned for the summer season.*
Here is your opportunity to send special greetings to the honorees as well as help the JCC continue their vision of providing a place for the community to pray, learn and enjoy social events together.
Attached is the ad journal form: AD JOURNAL Please fill it out and along with your check, mail it to the JCC of LBI, 2411 Long Beach Blvd., Spray Beach, NJ 08008. We would also appreciate your reaching out to merchants who you frequent to ask them to be part of our Ad Journal campaign.
Your invitation to the gala should arrive soon. We look forward to a wonderful evening of celebration.
*July 20th "A Trio of Women Cantors: Contemporary, Liturgical & Show Music"
*August 26th and 27th "Back to Broadway: Heroes, Villains and Dreamers", starring Bart Shatto
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SISTERHOOD STUFF
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SISTERHOOD'S
SHOEBOX RECYCLING
PROGRAM
FOR DETAILS, PLEASE CLICK:
2017 DUES
Your $36 Sisterhood Membership Dues
are now due. All checks should be sent to
Carole Nunberg
Kings Grant
2 Golf Club Way
Marlton, NJ 08053
We appreciate your support.
PASSOVER COMMUNITY SEDER
 Mark you calendar for
Tuesday April 11
for the
Sisterhood Community Seder
RESERVATION FORMS AND DETAILS ARE HERE:
SEDER
ONEG SHABBATS
Sisterhood is responsible for the Oneg Shabbats each Friday night. We could use your help in organizing each week. This is a special call to those who are in the area off season. Pick a week that you can help and let Jody Brusilow (
jrb53056@icloud.com) know so you can be placed on the schedule.
SHOE BOX RECYCLING
We are 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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GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
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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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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 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:
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THIS WEEK'S EVENTS
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3/31 - 4/7
Sunday
9:30 AM
Passover Prep Workshop
See JCC Calendar:
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SYNAGOGUE ACCESS
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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.
Much appreciation to our Sisterhood who will be donating three more cameras to the JCC, which will add to the safety and security of our building.
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SHABBAT SHALOM
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7:02 PM
(So. Ocean County NJ)
JOIN US FOR SERVICES
Rabbi's Talk:
What Are You Protesting?
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Torah Study
9:00 AM
Services
Here is the Haftorah
HAFTORAH
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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PREPARING FOR PASSOVER
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PASSOVER PREP WORKSHOP
Sunday, April 2 - 9:30 AM
We are hosting author Dr Murray Spiegel, who will present a Passover Prep workshop unlike any other. He'll inspire you to lead an unforgettable Seder, using themed Seders, decorations, songs. Hear about wonderful things to do with the Ma Nishtana and enacting traditions from Jews around the world. His Seders were written up in The New York Times and filmed by PBS, so he has a lot of great ideas. You'll be thankful you came.
PASSOVER COMMUNITY SEDER
Join your JCC of LBI Family at a Community Seder to celebrate the Second Night of Passover with the retelling of the story of our Exodus from Egyptian bondage to Freedom
 Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at 6:00 PM
led by Rabbi Michael Jay.
All are Welcome!!!
Reservations Necessary
Send your reservation and check to:
Carole Nunberg
2 Golf Club Way
Marlton, NJ 08053
Adult Member @ $45 each
Adult Non-Member @ $50
Children 6 - 12 years at @ $20
Children age 5 & under (free)
For further information, please call Carole Nunberg @ (856)985-9969
SELLING OF HAMETZ
The Torah prohibits us from owning any type of Hametz during the festival of Pesach. In principle, a person has the option of consuming all his Hametz before Pesach, giving it away, destroying it or renouncing all ownership of it. In practice it is often not possible to dispose of all the Hametz before Pesach. Moreover, a person may have Chametz in his possession of which he is unaware. As a response to this situation the practice of "Selling the Chametz" began nearly two thousand years ago during the time of the Mishnah. Originally, each Jew would sell his own Chametz to a non-Jew and there would be an exchange of goods and money. Nowadays, in order to ensure that all the legal requirements of a contract of sale are satisfied, people usually make the Rabbi their agent for selling the Hametz to a non-Jew. After Pesach the Rabbi buys back the Hametz though this is not made a specific condition of the sale. It should be noted that Hametz, which remains in one's possession during Pesach, is prohibited for use afterwards.
In order to ensure that no Chametz remains in your possession over Pesach, please fill in the attached form so our agent, Rabbi Jay, can sell it to Leslie, our office manager.
HAMETZ
PASSOVER DATES
Sunday, April 9 - Search for Chametz
Monday, April 10 - First Seder
Tuesday, April 11 - Second Seder - SERVICES 9:30 AM
JCC COMMUNITY SEDER 6:00 PM
Wednesday, April 12 - SERVICES 9:30 AM
Shabbat - Chol Hamoed
Monday, April 17 - 7th Day of Passover - SERVICES 9:30 AM
Tuesday Tuesday, April 18 - 8th Day of Passover - SERVICES 9:30 AM (Yizkor)
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YAHRZEITS
FOR NEXT WEEK
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These names will be read at services on March 31, 2017
IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND SERVICES ON FRIDAY NIGHT TO SAY KADDISH, PLEASE NOTIFY THE
OFFICE
Lawrence Alpert*
Charlotte Chazin*
Minnie Einhorn*
Martin Hartman
Jeanette Rosen
Dora Weinstein
Mary Halpern
Herbert Iris
Irving Maginsky
Leon Shechtman
Benjamin Epstein*
Shirley Feather*
Rita Haas
Lena Hirschman
Irving Klein
Saul Silverman*
Benjamin Fruchtman*
Charles Kasselman*
Henry Kelsen
Bernard Mihtz
Charlotte Dzuna
Betty Husak
Harry Kaplan
Cora Korb*
Harriet Rothman
Helen Klein*
William Poster*
Irving Sampson*
Ed Davis
Milton Kamler
Gerald Schaer
Cecil Weiner
* Yahrzeit Plaque - These names are lovingly enshrined on our synagogue memorial boards.
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CONGREGATION
NEWS
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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.
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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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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!!! 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 |
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The Jewish Community Center of LBI 
