Jewish Community Center of 
Long Beach Island
E-Letter
May 1, 2020
1 Iyyar
5780
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Hello Everyone;
As many of you know we are conducting Maariv Services on a nightly basis. Rabbi Jay has 
been doing a special prayer to our first responders, health care professionals, and all essential workers. During a service the other day, a conversation started about these unsung heroes. Several participants thought it would be a great idea to do something for these selfless individuals. It was suggested that the JCC do something to show our gratitude to them. After additional discussion, it was decided that the
JCC will raise money through donations to purchase food/ dinners for staff members at Southern Ocean County Hospital. This is just the first step of this program; we can continue doing this with other groups as we continue going through this crisis. I am looking for additional recommendations on groups or organizations in Ocean County.
Members, their families, and friends can send donations, or a pledge, to the JCC, these donations can be given to honor anyone, or any organization. They can be given to remember a  victim of the Covid virus, a departed loved one, someone working through this. They can also be given anonymously. To get this done in an expeditious manner donation, and pledges must be received by Friday, May 8, 2020. Once they are received, the Women's Auxiliary has graciously offered to make all the arrangements to order the food and have it delivered.
As Jews, we are historically, known for Tzedakah. We have come to think of this word for giving to charity. The Hebrew word actually means justice, or righteousness. In Judaism, it emphasizes a religious obligation to do what is just and right. In the time of this pandemic, I do not know anything more righteous and just then to give to those that expose themselves to this vicious virus, to help others. Please give what you can, to this great cause,
Michael Babst
President, JCC LBI
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ZOOM INVITATIONS THIS WEEK
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Kabbalat Shabbat - Friday at 6:00 PM
Shabbat Services - Saturday at 10:00 AM
Havdallah - Saturday at 8:35 PM
Ma'ariv Service - Sunday-Thursday at 7:30 PM Click on MA'ARIV
Family Dynamics in Chumash Class (The Joseph Story) with Congregation Agudath Israel & the JCC of LBI
Monday, 4/27 @ 10:00 AM
Click on: CHUMASH
Psalm Day - Psalm Where - Some How - Tuesday, 4/28/20 @ 1:00 PM
 NEW How to Zoom and other Internet Questions led by Howard Babbitt
Wednesday, 4/29 @ 3:00 PM
Join Rabbi Jay with a cup of tea, coffee or cocktail to chat about what's on your mind....
Click on
Weekly Torah Study - Pirkei Avot
Thursday, 4/30 @ 11:00 AM
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A TORAH MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
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One of this week's two Torah Portions is Parashat Kedoshim. It begins with God telling the Israelites that:
"You shall be holy, because I the LORD am holy." The Hebrew word for Holy is "Kadosh" whose root,
קדש
(k.d.sh.), also figures prominently in many parts of our Jewish liturgy. For instance, on Shabbat, and at other times, we sanctify the moment by saying the Kiddush. When a person is in mourning, she says the Kaddish. In our daily liturgy, during the Amidah, the central prayer in the Jewish tradition, we say the Kedusha. All of these usages of the word signify the sanctification of a thing or a moment, taking something and making it holy, whether it is a day, or a loved one who has passed away, or God. The question arises though, what is "Holy"?
When God tells the Israelites that they will be holy because God is holy, God doesn't give a definition of "holy". So if no definition is given, how are we supposed to know what "holy" is? The Torah tells us about "holy" not by telling us what it is, but by telling us "how" we can be holy. This is the brilliance of
Torah; it provides us with a blueprint to follow. It is as if the Torah is saying that holy is not defined by words, it is defined by actions. In short, we become holy because of the things we do.
The additional beauty of how the Torah outlines holiness for us is that many of the "holy" acts have a number of ways in which they can be interpreted or implemented. Such exhortations as "revere your mother and father", "neither curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling-block before the blind", and "love your neighbor as yourself", each have a "holy" message, but equally true is the fact that each has any number of ways in which it can be performed. The common element is that each requires some form of action by a person, even if that action is inaction.
What does one do to express holiness at this time? Last Shabbat we had "Feel Good Friday" and people told us good stories that have emerged from our time in isolation and social distancing. The ability to see the good in the world around us during trying times is an expression of holiness. Let me share with you some of what we heard from you last Shabbat:
1) I had a job interview.
2) I visited with a grandchild for the first time.
3) I was invited to have a conversation with an Eagles' draft pick.
4) I received a letter from a grandchild.
5) As a Hospital volunteer I sent pizza for lunch to the hospital.
6) My granddaughter went through her neighborhood writing words of hope in neighbors' driveways.
7) When a butcher from Shoprite learned that I could not get kosher brisket he personally got some and arranged to deliver it to me and to others who were celebrating Passover.
8) I arranged to have food from a local restaurant sent to the hospital where my mom is being cared for.
9) I virtually attended my grandson's first birthday.
10) My granddaughter had Face time calls with "special needs" children.
11) Taxpayers on LBI are paying for meals for those who need help.
12) My company retooled to manufacture hand sanitizer.
13) I have had 2 grandchildren in 2 weeks.
In times of stress each time we seek to do good for others, and/or acknowledge our blessings, it is a holy moment. It means that we are not focusing on our trouble, but that we are able to see, and work, around it.
Continue to join us for programs and services!
Shabbat Shalom - 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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25 Jewish Things to Do Under Quarantine
BY: KATE KAPUT
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 If you're looking for a bit of an escape from everything going on in the world right now (and have the time and good health to do so), try experimenting with and embracing your Judaism from home. Here are a few ways to begin. Included in the article are Jewish themed TV shows, books, challah recipes and sites for Jewish music.
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LAST CALL ON SPRING PAVER ORDER
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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.
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
OFFICE HOURS
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9 AM to 1:30 PM
THE OFFICE IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED.
PLEASE USE THE PHONE OR EMAIL WITH REQUESTS.
OUR OFFICE STAFF WILL BE CHECKING IN REGULARLY.
Office Staff:
Leslie Dinkfelt, Office Manager
Mary Beth Krieger, Staff Member
Tony DeGregorio, Custodial Staff
Kitchen Manager
Susan Berube
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Rabbi Michael S. Jay
Michael Babst, President
VIEW THE February/March/April
with this link
E-mail Editor: Rose Valentine
"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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SHABBAT SHALOM
Candle Lighting Time
(Southern Ocean County)
Friday evening,
May 1, 2020
7:33PM
Friday evening,
May 1, 2020
6:00 PM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services:
Saturday Morning
Service
Saturday,
May 2, 2020
10:00 AM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services:
Torah Portion
Parashat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim
(Leviticus 16:1 - 20:27)
Haftorah
Amos 9:7 - 9:15
Here is the Haftorah:
Saturday,
May 2, 2020
8:35 PM
Havdallah
 Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services:
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Sunday - Thursday
Ma'ariv Service
7:30 PM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services:
MA'ARIV
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YAHRZEITS FOR NEXT WEEK
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Ethel Lenkowsky
Albert Rosenfeld*
Ike Schwaff*
Irene Epstein
Florence Koransky
Harry Kotler
Isaac Freedman
Jacob Shaer
Rose Shaer
Josh Braun
Sidney Denbo
Anita D. Klaiman
Gloria Shaprio
Harry Sobelsky
Bertram Stern Lowe
Gertrude Miller
Eve Robinson
Terry Shapiro
Lena Sobelsky
Anna Gubar*
Edward Oertell
Jeanne Paris
Beverly Rosenstein
Jennie Schlanger*
Leo Baron
Morris Brounstein
Sadie Chalek
Bernard Diamond
Jenny Kessler
Diane Korn
Avram Shatz
Rabbi will read at Kabbalat Service
PLEASE LET THE OFFICE KNOW WHEN YOU WILL NEED A MINYAN TO SAY KADDISH.
* Yahrzeit Plaque - These names are lovely enshrined on our synagogue
memorial boards.
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CONGREGATION
NEWS
Vera & Bernard
Hershenberg
on the birth of their
new grandson
Asher to
Anna & Andrew Bruton
CONDOLENCES TO
Jeri Riffle
on the passing of her beloved cousin
Warren (Renny) Koseff
Renny was the son of Ben & Irene
Koseff, one of the first members of the JCC of LBI.
The family owned Koseff's Department Store, later Pier 18 Mall (located at the present site of Silver Sun Mall), Koseff's Surf Shop and now Ben & Jerry's all of Beach Haven. Jeri and Renny grew up together as backyard neighbors in Beach Haven. Condolences to his wife, Helene, and the entire Kosoff family.
"May God remember forever our dear ones who have gone to their eternal rest. May they be at one with the One who is life eternal. May the beauty of their lives shine for evermore, and may our lives always bring honor to their memory."
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SHARE YOUR NEWS
AND PICTURES
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,
Debby Schweighardt
if you are in need of assistance or if you know of a JCC member
that needs our help.
973-634-5349
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY
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Ken Fuirst
May 5
Beth Zemble - Rosenzweig
May 5
Joel Werbel
May 5
Michael Kaplon
May 6
Henry Gardner
May 7
Marty Telles
May 7
Jeffrey Bernstein
May 8
If you have not given the office your birthday information and would like to receive birthday wishes, please notify the office of your date of birth.
And if you would like to have the Rabbi give you or a family member a special blessing on the Shabbat of your/their birthday, please let him know: RABBI
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NEED HELP WITH GROCERIES OR MEDICATION
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Please let the Rabbi or office know if you need help with groceries or medication pick up.
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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 YAHRZEIT PLAQUE FORM: PLAQUE KOL HAKAVOD DONATION FORM KOL HAKAVOD ONEG SHABBAT SPONSOR: ONEG KIDDISH SPONSOR: KIDDISH |
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