|
A TORAH MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
|
This Shabbat being the first to follow Purim, it is also
Shabbat Parah. According to the Website, Judaism 101:
It marks the beginning of formal preparations for Passover. The special Torah reading, Numbers 19:1-22, discusses a ritual of purification involving a red heifer. Specifically, the ritual purifies people from the ritual impurity that comes from contact with the dead. At the end of the ritual, the people are purified, but the person who performed the ritual becomes temporarily impure.
The rabbis speak of the ritual of Parah Adumah as the greatest of mysteries: it makes the impure pure, and makes the pure impure. This proves that the rabbis were all men, because any woman knows that when you clean a house, you start with a clean sponge and a dirty house and you end with a dirty sponge and a clean house, and there is no great mystery in this!
The passage is chosen for this time because of the need to purify oneself for Pesach, in preparation for pilgrimage to Jerusalem and the Temple. ...
Parashat, Shemini, contains the laws of keeping Kosher. Of all of the commandments, Kashrut is one of the hardest to explain. Some laws have obvious reasons for existing. "Thou shalt not murder", makes sense on its face. Murder is just wrong. However, other laws, like keeping kosher, are not so obvious.
Those who don't keep kosher often ask me why I keep kosher. They want to know the purpose of the dietary laws. While many rationales have been proposed for why God requires us to keep kosher, perhaps the most frequent assertion is that these laws were created for health purposes, because the prohibited foods were thought to be carriers of disease.
I think that the answer for why we are commanded to eat kosher is actually given right in the text of the Parashat Shemini. At Leviticus 11:44, it says: "For I the Lord am your God: you shall sanctify yourselves and be holy, for I am holy....For I the Lord am He who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God: You shall be holy for I am holy."
I am not sure that this answer is satisfactory, but there is certainly something inherently holy in regulating our diet. The natural human propensity would be to eat whatever we can, whenever it is available, and without giving it a second thought. Kashrut forces up to be mindful, at all times, about what we ingest. When we carefully consider what we eat, we are better attuned to our real needs.
For lack of a better term, please accept this as "food for thought".
What do you think? This inquiring mind would like to know.
If you have questions about preparing for Passover, please reach out to me!
Shabbat Shalom - Rabbi Michael S. Jay
|
|
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
|
|
THE WEEK THAT WAS....
|
JCC MEMBERS AT THE
AIPEC CONVENTION
Jake Pleeter, Rabbi, Zachary Pleeter & Abigail Pletter
Lenore Forsted, Rabbi, David Forsted, Sue Marguiles, Ben Marguiles, Mark Chazin, Stacey Chazin, Marty Chazin
Abigail Pleeter, Mary Pleeter, friends of the Pleeters, Jake Pleeter, Rabbi Jay, Mark Chazin, Karen Shatz, David Shatz
|
|
COMMUNITY SEDER
|
Saturday, April 20, 2019
6:00 PM
Interactive Seder led by Rabbi Michael Jay
Adults:
$40
Children 13 - 18:
$25
Children under 13
free of charge
Here is the flyer and reservation coupon
or
Contact the JCC Office to make your reservation
609-492-4090
or click on this link
JCC OFFICE
If you can help with the set up. contact Irene Babst, Seder Coordinator
856-904-5145
or click on this link
IRENE
|
|
MIRIAM'S SEDER
|
|
The women of BethAm Shalom and Congregation Sha'arey Ha-Yam cordially invite the ladies of the JCC of LBI to join them for the third annual Miriam's Seder on Thursday, April 11, 2019 at 6 PM at BETH AM SHALOM, 1235 NJ-70, LAKEWOOD, NJ 08701.
For further information feel free to reach out to Fran Gimpel at 732-657-7120.
See the attached flyer for details: MIRIAM'S SEDER
|
|
OCEAN COUNTY FEDERATION HAPPENINGS
|
|
|
COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS
|
St. Francis Center is having its 43rd annual Family Health and Safety Fair on Thursday, April 25 from 10 AM - 1 PM
FOR DETAILS SEE THIS FLYER:
|
|
CUBA HERE WE COME
|
Join Rabbi Michael Jay
and The Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island's
"People to People" Cuba Mission
CLICK ON THIS LINK TO SEE THE ITINERARY AND OTHER DETAILS: CUBA MISSION
|
|
|
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.
Think about joining this program and helping the JCC to reap the benefits.
|
|
BULLETIN ADS
|
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: BADGES
|
|
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
Mary Beth, Tony and Leslie
Office Staff:
Leslie Dinkfelt, Office Manager
Mary Beth Krieger, Staff Member
Tony DeGregorio, Custodial Staff
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Rabbi Michael S. Jay
Michael Babst, President
VIEW THE FEBRUARY/MARCH/APRIL BULLETIN
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:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jewish-Community-Center-of-Long-Beach-Island/345647489300?ref=br_tf
|
|
|
|
NEXT WEEK'S EVENTS
3/29/19 - 4/5/19
|
|
Click here for JCC Calendar:
|
|
|
Friday
March 29, 2019
(So. Ocean
County NJ)
JOIN US FOR SERVICES
March 29, 2019
Services
7:00 PM
Rabbi's Talk:
AIPAC Update
SATURDAY
March 30, 2019
Torah Study
9:00 AM
Services
10:00 AM
SHABBAT PARAH
Shabbat Parah ("Sabbath [of the] red heifer" שבת פרה) takes place on the Shabbat before Shabbat HaChodesh, in preparation for Passover. Numbers 19:1-22 describes the parah adumah ("red heifer") in the Jewish temple as part of the manner in which the kohanim and the Jewish people purified themselves so that they would be ready ("pure") to sacrifice the korban Pesach.
Shmini
(Leviticus 9:1 - 11:47; Special Maftir
Numbers 19:1 - 22 )
Torah Readers:
Aaron Lombardi
Zach Lombardi
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.
|
|
YAHRZEITS FOR NEXT WEEK
|
These names will be read at services on March 29, 2019
Lillian Salander*
Betty Schleifer
Milton G. Smith
Hershel Alan Denker
Albert Kessler
Morris Rebo
Meir Cohen
Arthur Goldsmith
Benjamin Katz
Henry Nagel
Sara Rubin
Eleanor Satir
Seymour Tilbor
Sel Gross Medvin*
Gloria Reason
Josephine Tucker
Solomen Chalek
Helen Freedman
Abe Rosenbaum
Ginette Shomer
Sylvia Glasser
Fanny Parker
Morris Herman
Felix Horowitz
David Polinsky
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.
|
|
SALE OF CHOMETZ
|
In many Jewish communities, the rabbi signs a contract with each congregant, assigning the rabbi as an agent to sell their chametz. The practice is convenient for the congregation and ensures that the sale is binding by both Jewish and local law.
Attached is a contract with Rabbi Jay for selling of your chometz:
SALE OF CHOMETZ
|
|
CONGREGATION
NEWS
REINA & PHIL LEVY
on the birth of their
granddaughter
Jade Taylor Levy
to
Marc & Tammy Levy
Happy Birthday to
RUDY VALENTINE
celebrating his
80th Birthday
|
|
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
|
|
SPONSOR A KIDDUSH
|
We are proud to announce the establishment of the
Zena Jay Kiddush Fund
in memory of Rabbi Jay's mother
Those who want to sponsor a kiddish or would like to donate to the fund, can contact the office at 609-492-4090
For information about
sponsoring a Kiddush
SEE DONATION & MENU:
|
|
SISTERHOOD STUFF
|
TO SPONSOR AN ONEG SHABBAT ON ANY FRIDAY EVENING, PLEASE CONTACT
JODY BRUSILOW
AT 610-745-4006.
|
|
CELEBRATE A MILESTONE AT THE JCC
|
The JCC is a beautiful place to celebrate a milestone: wedding, anniversary, baby naming, birthday.
Contact the office for further information. 609-492-4090
|
|
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
|
|
SEND ONE OF OUR TRIBUTES IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY OF
PAVERS
Inscribe a paver at the front entrance to the building
See form for your order:
PAVERS
SPRING ORDER and it is WRITTEN IN STONE
so we would like to urge "you" to place your order now so that it can be included in the SPRING installation for the SUMMER OF 2019.
Please contact Diane Hoffman with your order or with any questions:
TREE OF LIFE
Add a leaf (leaves) to our beautiful Tree of Life located in the Social Hall. See the order form here: TREE OF LIFE
Bronze Leaf $90
Silver Leaf $126
Gold :Leaf $180
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.
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.
YAHRZEIT PLAQUES
Space is available for memorial plaques on the yahrzeit boards in the Sanctuary. Here is the order form: PLAQUES
|
| 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 |
|
|
