|
A MESSAGE FROM RABBI JAY
|
During last week's Torah study, the question was posed, as it often is, "If God is good, compassionate, and just, then why do bad things happen to good people?" I answered that we can never know the answer to that question; we simply cannot with any certainty say "why" something has happened to someone. Because of this, I have learned to try to redirect the query in a slightly different direction. I suggest that we should not ask "Why", but that we should redirect the question and ask "What" do I do now?"
I believe that this week's Torah portion, "Re'eh", provides a place to start in explaining the transition from "why" to "what". In the very beginning of the Parasha, Moshe says:
See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; and the curse, if you do not heed the commandments of the Lord your God, but stray from the way I am commanding you today... (Deut. 11:26 - 28).
The Rabbis acknowledged from this, that God gave humanity free will. It is our choice to determine whether to heed the commandments and be blessed, or to ignore them and be cursed.
This Free will gives us the ability to decide how to process the things that happen in our lives. Asking "Why did this happen?" requires us to look backward for a cause. This forces us to dwell on the past. Shifting the question to "What should I do now?" permits us to look to the future. With "Why", the problem becomes an end point. If we ask, "What do I do now?" the problem becomes the starting point and you can work toward a solution.
The past cannot be changed, but we can change the future. If we look back we find ourselves impacted by events out of our control. If we look forward, we then can begin to take control of our destiny. Looking back can leave us empty and bitter. Looking ahead can provide a challenge, courage and self-control.
Free will permits us to decide how to live our lives and how to confront the issues thrust upon us. What we choose to do matters. We should make choices that will permit us to chart our own paths.
We should always be cognizant of the unchangeable past, but recognize that the future is our path to chart.
Shabbat Shalom - Rabbi Michael S. Jay
T
RAVEL TO ISRAEL WITH THE JCC
The JCC trip to Israel will take place October 7-18, 2018. The itinerary will take us from Tel Aviv to the Golan Heights, to a winery, to the Kineret, to a Kibbutz, to Sefad, to Jerusalem, to the Dead Sea, to Massada, to many museums, and more. At Massada we will be sharing in a bar mitzvah of one of our fellow travelers. What joy!
The JCC's first trip to Israel will take place October 7-18, 2018. The itinerary will take us from Tel Aviv to the Golan Heights, to a winery, to the Kineret, to a Kibbutz, to Sefad, to Jerusalem, to the Dead Sea, to Masada, to many museums, and more. At Masada we will be sharing in a bat mitzvah of one of our fellow travelers.
We will be immersed in Israeli history and culture and, at the same time, we will get to better know our selves, and each other.
So far an extraordinarily nice group of people have chosen to travel with us.
This trip that has been designed both for the person who has never been to Israel, and for the person who has visited frequently. Come be a part of what is sure to be a trip of a lifetime.
In addition to a set itinerary, we will have some evenings where we will be free to explore on our own. We will be provided with information on concerts or cultural events in the places where we
The tour is officially flying El Al; however, if you want to fly United, ITC can help you to make arrangements.
To view a full itinerary and to download an on-line application, go to
ISRAEL TOUR.
For additional information, call Rabbi Jay at 973-865-9534 or email him at
[email protected]
|
|
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
|
| CABARET NITE |
AT THE JCC
An Evening of 50'S, 60'S AND 70'S music
with
 Acclaimed Singer and Songwriter
Michael D'Amore
Sunday Evening, August 12th at 7pm
$35 per person
Including
Wine and Soft Drinks, Snacks and Dessert
Make your reservations here:
|
| ONGOING ACTIVITIES |
ZUMBA
Monday and Thursday @ 9:00 AM until August 23
 Wednesdays 12:30 - 4
RABBI JAY'S FRIDAY MORNING CLASS
10:00 AM
"Israel's Milestones & Their Meanings"
June 29 - August 24
|
| DINING TO DONATE |
We have secured three restaurants who will be participating in this program
Classic Restaurant (across from Brazzi's)
Kostas Greek Restaurant, Tuckerton
Manero's, Manahawkin
These establishment will give the JCC a percentage of the bill when members eat at their restaurant on designated dates.
Diners will take a coupon with them to be signed by the restaurant and sent to the office so we can keep a tally.
INFORMATION ON THE DATES TO FOLLOW
|
|
|
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
|
S
END ONE OF OUR TRIBUTES IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY OF
ENDOWMENT FUND
Join Herb and Selma Shapiro z'l to help assure the continuity of our JCC, and our ability to continue providing a full-service congregation to serve the Jewish people of the area.
A donation of at least $50,000 to the endowment fund will allow the donor to name one of the funds as the donor wishes. All such name funds will be joined together to be part of the endowment fund portfolio.
We are proud to announce that Judith & Donald Pripstein have joined the Shapiros with a $50,000 donation and have established The Pripstein Family Endowment Fund.
All members are encouraged to help this important effort by contributing to this fund whether as a specific named fund, or as a general donation.
Your gift to the fund can be sent to the JCC Office. Please mark your check accordingly.
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
|
|
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.
|
| VOLUNTEER |
VOLUNTEER
at
Interfaith Health & Support Services of Southern Ocean County, Inc. in Manahawkin.
- a coalition of different faith communities, social service, and health care organizations
- that provides volunteer physical, emotional and spiritual support to those living at home who are vulnerable because of age or disability.
Here is a list of various volunteer opportunities at Interfaith: INTERFAITH
Interfaith is collecting old cell phones, glasses, hearing aids and used stamps on envelopes.
We will have a box at the JCC for any donations.
|
|
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 ([email protected]) 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.
|
|
ADS FOR JCC BULLETIN
|
Please contact the JCC Office (609-492-4090) if you would like to place an ad in the Bulletin
|
|
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: TAGS
|
|
CELEBRATE A MILESTONE AT THE
JCC OF LBI
|
The JCC is a beautiful place to celebrate a milestone: wedding, anniversary, baby naming, birthday.
Contact the office for further information. 609-492-4090
|
|
JCC OF LBI INFORMATION
The JCC is located at
2411 Long Beach Boulevard
Spray Beach, NJ
ENTER THE BUILDING DURING OFFICE HOURS
THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR.
FOR HANDICAPPED ENTRANCE
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
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
from 9:00 - 1:30
Mary Beth, Tony and Leslie
Office Staff:
Leslie Dinkfelt, Office Manager
Marcie Deutsch, Computer Admin.
Mary Beth Krieger, Staff Member
Tony DrGregorio, Custodial Staff
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Rabbi Michael S. Jay
Rose Valentine, JCC President
SEE JULY/AUGUST 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:
|
|
|
|
| THIS WEEK AT THE JCC |
|
8/10/18 - 8/17/18
Friday
Shabbat Dinner
6:00 PM
Sunday
Annual Meeting
10:00 AM
Cabaret Nite
7:00 PM
Monday
Zumba
9:00 AM
Book Review
10:30 AM in the Library
Wednesday
Mah jongg/Canasta
12:30 - 4:00 PM
Thursday
Zumba
9:00 AM
Painting with a Passion
6 - 9 PM
|
|
SHABBAT SHALOM
|
Candle Lighting Time
7:42 PM
(So. Ocean County NJ)
HERE IS A CALENDAR OF ALL CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES
ON LBI FOR 5778
SISTERHOOD SHABBAT
DINNER 6:00 PM
Reservations necessary
Rosh Chodesh Elul
SISTERHOOD SHABBAT
SERVICE
Saturday, August 11, 2018
10:00 AM Service
Torah Reading
Re'eh
(Deuteronomy 11:26 - 16:17)
Isaiah 66:1 - 66:24
Torah Readers
Aaron Lombardi
Sam Kohn
| | |
The Jewish CommunityCenter of LBI 
