Jewish Community Center o f  
Long Beach Island

E-Letter

 

September 21, 2018
12 Tishrei

 

 

 


 

JCC the Place to Be




Contents
A Message from the Rabbi
A Message from the Rabbi
Kol Hakavod
The Week That Was...
50/50 Raffle
Upcoming JCC Activities
Federation Film Festival
Community Events
Bulletin Ads
Name Badges
TD Affinity Program
This Week's Events
Service Schedule
Yahrzeits for Next Week
Upcoming Holidays
Congregation News
Sponsor a Kiddish
Celebrate a Milestone
Sisterhood Stuff
Acme & Shoprite Scrip
Giving Opportunities
Text Blast Sign Up
Documents & Links
A MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI

Yamim Noraim Roundup. What a High Holy Day experience it was this year. The JCC was filled to near capacity through many of the services. Sharing the Bimah with, and getting to know, Cantor Shalom Zachmy was a blessing and a delight. Not only was his davening beautiful, with a sweet and rich voice, but the personal stories he shared as an Israeli born in Yemen were fascinating. I cannot adequately describe his wonderful ability to engage the congregation in song.
 
Though many deserve it, I am not going to single out anyone else for praise except for Terri Robinovitz who, in leading our children's service, taught and nurtured our children with kindness and love. Every time I walked in the classroom, everyone was smiling and happy. (In this regard, I have to also add Kayla, Zach, and Aaron Lombardi, who stepped in to assist as needed).
 
Permit me to send my many thanks to each and every person present at the various services. There were many holy and sanctified moments over the course of the Holy Days. There was praying, and singing, and marching, and meditating. There was laughing, and crying, and silence, and discussion. I have the privilege of standing before you and seeing the holiness in your eyes.   What a blessing each one of you is. What a joy the JCC community is.
 
Below is a very brief round-up of my talks. As always, please feel free to reach out to me with questions or thoughts. I have already received several emails suggested possible topics for future sermons.
 
The first night I requested the congregants to think about why they come to High Holy Day services. I explained that, for me, much of it is connected to wonderful memories of being with my family. I talked in some detail about our holiday walks to shul, and the meals, and the songs, and the smells. I requested each person present to thank about what brings them to the Temple to observe the High Holy Days. If you have a reason or a memory that stands out, please let me know.
 
On the First Day of Rosh Hashanah I requested each congregant turn to her/his neighbor and to take a few minutes to discuss what would him/her happy. I discussed that, because of the virulently partisan nature our current world, we live in disconcerting times. I suggested that one way to fight the unpleasantness would be to work on our own individual happiness. The theory is that if each of us becomes happier, we can then spread our contentment to the world around us. And make the world less tense one person at a time.
 
Though this might sound a bit Pollyannaisms, our tradition actually contains a prayer that provides a paradigm to help make us happier. It is called Eiluh Devarim and I wrote about it last week. Pared down to its essence, our tradition's recipe for happiness is not that we "seek" happiness, but that we "do" happiness. In other words if we live a life of, among other things, respect, intentional prayer, kindness, and good deeds, we will find ourselves being happy.
 
If you were at services, I hope you enjoyed my holiday renditions of "Don't Worry, Be Happy", and "Put On A Happy Face."
 
At the evening service after the first day, I discussed that "Shana Tovah" means "Good Year". Tovah means "Good" and "Shanah" means year. However, the root letters for Shanah, shin-nun-hey, can also be used for the word "Shoneh" which means to "change". Thus when we say "Shanah Tovah", we might be saying "Good Change". This is connected to doing Teshuvah, which we translate as to "repent" or "Turn" back.
 
The idea is that on the High Holy Days we need to reflect on our lives and "change". The hope is that we can make ourselves better and that we can set good examples for those around us. I wished that the New Year brings health, joy and fulfillment and that it does not leave us unchanged.
 
 
The second day of Rosh Hashanah I began the sermon by holding a 9/11 memorial service. I went through a timeline of the horrific events of that day. We then said prayers for those who perished and for the first responders. I chanted Ehl Malai Rachamim, our tradition's memorial prayer. We then handed out sheets of paper containing names of all of the victims 9/11. I asked each congregant to focus on a name or two as we chanted the Mourner's Kaddish. I blew the Shofar three times. We then closed by singing "God Bless America".
 
I then shifted to a brief talk about Theodore Herzl, known as the father of the modern state of Israel. Herzl was born in Hungary and as a teenager moved to Vienna. He grew up mostly as an assimilated Jew, but ultimately became intensely aware of the existence of anti-Semitism in Europe. In 1897 he organized the first Zionist Congress where nearly 300 Jews met to discuss the necessity of having a Jewish homeland for the Jewish people. It is Hertzl who famously said: "If you will it, it is no dream", and, in large part due to Herzl's efforts, 50 years after that first Zionist congress, the UN voted to reestablish the Jewish State.
 
Ultimately I discussed the fact that it took an assimilated, non-religious, Jewish person to help to forge our Homeland. It is therefore clear that it is intended to be a homeland for all Jews.
 
On Kol Nidre I talked about the fact that if we want the world to change, we need to start by acknowledging the need to change ourselves. If we can effect our own change, then we can impact those within our sphere of influence, who can then impact people within their spheres of influence.
 
I quoted Hillel, who said: "If not now, when?" I asked the congregants to discuss amongst themselves if they had a something that they desired to do which fit into the category of "If not now, when?" I asked if they had someone with whom they needed to make amends, or a dream they needed to fulfill, or an "I love you" they needed to say.   I suggested with regard to these issues, "If not now, when?"
 
I explained that I learned that when people were asked about their biggest regret, more often than not, the response had to do with not doing something that they had wanted to do. I explained that in order to avoid the regrets, people needed to be mindful of "If not now, when". We all need to be mindful and do the things that our hearts and souls are telling us we should be doing.
 
Finally, I began my pre-Yizkor sermon by reading Robert Munsch's "I'll Love You Forever". It is a book that I often read to my daughter. If you have not read this book, you can look it up on line. It is a very emotional story about a mother's unconditional love for her child.
 
I used the book as an example of the meaning and purpose of the Yizkor service. Yizkor means, "He (God) will remember." It is a service in which we remember our loved ones who have passed. But it is more complex. While the service is designed to help us remember our loved ones, there is another layer to it.
 
Since we shared specific memories with those we have lost, when they pass, we lose that connection and, in turn, a piece of ourselves. Their loss had thus created a void in our own lives. We need to be in the Yizkor service and to remember them, in order to make ourselves closer to being whole again. It's the memories that give the service, and us energy.
 
Yizkor also reminds us that it is unavoidable that someday we are each going to be the ones remembered. We need to be mindful of this and we need to create good memories with those we love in order to guarantee that we will be remembered.
 
As always, I tried to fill each service with little snippets of learning and spiritual connectivity, and even a joke or two.
 
Questions? Thoughts? 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...

 
As the gates closed on a very inspiring Yom Kippur on 24th Street, we cannot help but be thankful for all those who made this service possible.  A winning combination of Rabbi Jay and Hazzan Zachmy created an atmosphere of warmth and ruach. Our ticket and seating chairman, Carole Nunberg, made sure everything went smoothly on her end, ably assisted by ushers Harold Farin and Rose Valentine.  The room looked beautiful with flower arrangements on the bimah donated by Debbie & John Schweighardt and the entrance to the building was adorned with fall flowers planted by Howard Fruchterman. Thank you to Alisa Freidberg and Jody Brusilow for polishing the silver crowns, breast plates and yads so the Torahs looked ready for the holiday.

Yasher Koach to our gabbaim Ira Morgenthal and Harris Weisel, to our Torah readers Aaron Lombardi and Ira Morgenthal, to the Haftorah Chanters Jake Pleeter, Ira Morganthal and the ladies of the congregation who read Jonah at the afternoon service. Yasher Koach all those who received aliyahs and honors. Special thanks to Terri Robinovitz and her assistants Aaron, Kayla and Zach Lombardi for the wonderful children's program.


Our President, Mike Babst, gave a rousing speech about the need for volunteers.  You will be receiving a copy of his Rosh Hashana speech in a few days.  The mailing will include a request for your High Holiday Appeal donation along with a return envelope.  Please return the envelope with your 5779 donation. Thanks goes to Helyn and Mel Benjamin for doing the stuffing and Don Pripstein for coordinating the the mailing.  Of course we could not get any of this done with out our staff - Leslie, Mary Beth and Tony.

Sisterhood put the final touches on the day with a delicious break-the-fast enjoyed by members and guests alike. Thanks goes to Enid Dairman, Renee Goldman Helyn Benjamin, Paula Hait , Carole Nunberg and Jody Brusilow for preparing a wonderful spread for a bunch of hungry fasters.

Finally, a salute the Board of Directors for providing a police presence in our building.


50/50 RAFFLE WINNERS
 
Thank you to Richard Morgan for chairing this fundraiser.  The drawing was held at the Break-the Fast on Wednesday night. And the winners are:

FIRST PLACE: 
Jon Geier $3,249.00

SECOND PLACE
Bernard Rothman $1,624.50

THIRD PLACE 
Polly Weisberger $ 541.50
ONGOING JCC ACTIVITIES

Mah jongg
MAH JONGG  

Wednesdays 12:30 - 4:00 PM 


FEDERATION FILM FESTIVAL

 
Sunday October 14 - Sunday October 28

FOR DETAILS, LIST OF FILMS AND DATES AS WELL AS TRAILERS SEE: 
COMMUNITY EVENTS

Jewish Cultural Group at Mirage Presents......
****And Here's To You...****
"The Guthrie Brothers"
The greatest Simon & Garfunkel tribute band
PLUS A Delicious Deli Dinner
Thursday, October 11, 6:30 PM
Choices: Corn Beef, Pastrami, Turkey, Tuna or Egg Salad
$32.00 per person
Call Helen Gross (609) 607-0005


Friends of the Ocean Countyn Library
Mah Jongg Tournament
October 10, 2018
Mancini Hall
101 Washington Street, Toms River
Sign in 8;30 AM
$40.00
See this flyer for details


Southern Ocean Medical Center 
Women's Health Night  
October 24 from 5:30-8:30
Women are encouraged to attend to chat with medical experts about common women's health concerns. There also will be on the spot health screenings, and shopping with local community vendors. Door prizes, entry gifts, and light refreshments will also be available. For more information, call 1-800-362-8677 or visit SouthernOceanMedicalCenter.com.
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

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.
 
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

web site: www.jccoflbi.org  
  
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS:     
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 DeGregorio, Custodial Staff



CONTACT INFORMATION:
  
Rabbi Michael S. Jay

Michael Babst, President
mjbofjcclbi@gmail.com


  VIEW THE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 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 click on this link  FACEBOOK
or cut and paste:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jewish-Community-Center-of-Long-Beach-Island/345647489300?ref=br_tf

Join Our Mailing List
THIS WEEK'S EVENTS
9/21 - 9/28


Wednesday  
Mah jongg
12:30 - 4:00 PM 



S HABBAT SHALOM
 &
GUT YONTIFF


Shabbat 

  
Candle Lighting Time
Friday
September 7, 2018
6:36 PM
(So. Ocean  County NJ)

   JOIN US FOR SERVICES

FRIDAY 
September 21, 2018
8:00 PM
Services

SATURDAY 
September 22, 2018
9:00 AM
Torah Study 
10:00 AM
Services

Torah Portion
Ha'azinu
(Deuteronomy 32:1 - 32:52) 
Here is the Parshah

Haftorah
II Samuel 22:1 - 22:51
Here is the Haftorah

Torah Reader
Haftorah Reader
Mark Chazin


Sponsored by Mark Chazin
on the 63rd Anniversary of his 
Bar Mitzvah


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.

FRIDAY 
KOH HAMOAD
9/28
6:00 PM
SHABBAT DINNER 
IN THE SUKKAH


Call the office with your reservations
609-492-4090
YAHRZEITS FOR NEXT WEEK

These names will be read at services on September 21, 2018

Morris Freeman
Betty Pacharz
Fanny Troum*
Henry Gaulton
Rose Kincus
Clarence Rosenberg
Rose Britz*
Abraham Greenspan
Ruth Srager
Beulah Gubar*
Dora Kaplan
Alfred Krechovitz*
Bea Mendlow*
Lena Greenwald*
Elaine Hirsch*
Mildred Berman
Selma Blacker*
Daniel Glass
Ethel Tarlow
Bertrand Berman
Doris Farin*
Lynn Kamler Levi*
Pauline Sherman
Adam Pollack

 
* Yahrzeit Plaque - These names are lovely enshrined on our synagogue memorial boards.


UPCOMING HOLIDAYS
Sukkah


HELP BUILD OUR SUKKAH
Sunday, 9/23 @ 10:00 AM
Let the office know you can be there.

"Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to dwell in the sukkah."

If you want to have a meal in the sukkah at the JCC, please let the office know your plans.  All utensils and food must be kosher.


 
Sunday, September 23
 7:30 PM
Erev Succoth
Candlelighting 6:33 PM

Monday, September 24
 9:30 AM
1st Day Succoth
Candlelighting 8:01PM

Tuesday, September 25
9:30 AM
2nd Day Succoth

Monday, October 1
 9:30 AM
Shemini Atzeret
Yizkor to be recited



Monday, October 1
Simchas Torah
6:00 PM
Pizza & Pasta

Italian Chef
followed by services

Tuesday, October 2 
9:30AM
Simchas Torah


CONGREGATION
NEWS


JUDITH PRIPSTEIN

INGE BATOFF

JOY KERN


SHARE YOUR NEWS
 
 
 
Caring 
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:

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
 
SISTERHOOD STUFF


SISTERHOOD
 GIFT SHOP

Come visit the JCC Sisterhood Gift Shop 
in the lobby
to purchase your judaica needs or for a special gift

SHOE BOX RECYCLING



SHOEBOX RECYCLING
PROGRAM
FOR DETAILS, PLEASE CLICK:


ACME & SHOPRITE SCRIP

Scrip is available from Acme as well as ShopRite.   You can help the JCC of LBI earn free money by using these $25 gift cards when you shop at these stores.

Contact the office at 609-492-4090
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

SEND ONE OF OUR TRIBUTES IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY OF

See order form here: TRIBUTE

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
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. 

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