Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island E-Letter
August 28, 2020
8 Elul 5780
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DEADLINE FOR BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE LISTINGS
AND HIGH HOLIDAY GREETINGS
NEXT FRIDAY 9/4
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The High Holidays are just 3 weeks away!!!!
Our High Holiday Information Booklet is available on our website for members and friends. It includes an introductory letter, dates and times of services, ticket information and an order form. See the web site for all the information: HIGH HOLIDAYS
Each Tuesday we will be sending out an update on our plans leading up to the Days of Awe as well as instruction on how to navigate Zoom and Streaming. If you missed an issue, here they are: HH UPDATE
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ALL LINKS ARE IN THIS COLOR |
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ZOOM CLASSES NEXT THIS WEEK
Family Dynamics in Chumash Class (The Joseph Story)
Monday, 8/31 @ 10:00 AM Click on
Weekly Torah Study - Pirkei Avot
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TO SEE THE
COMPLETE LIST OF SUMMER EVENTS
THE WEEK THAT WAS...
We have had so many vibrant and interesting programs this summer and last week was no exception.
Sheri Horowitz Jay led a uplifting Rosh Chodesh program. Ladies presented some of their special heirlooms along with the stories that went along with them. The big question was whether our children and grandchildren will want what is precious to us.
Everyone left the Susan and Friends Series program wanting to know more about Sheila Graham and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Author Sally Koslow gave us much insight into how a writer of historical fiction walks the line between fact and story telling.
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“TEEYUL THROUGH ELUL CALENDAR”.
The calendar covers the 29 days of Elul, which begins Friday, August 21st. When you look at it you will see that every day provides a word in all capital letters. The words come from a blog by Rabbi Phyllis A. Sommer. Each word is designed to make you think. Write down what the word evokes in you; find a poem about the word; how can the word help you to prepare for the High Holy Days. Though there is a word on the calendar for each day of Elul, don’t feel as if you need to do this every day. Go at your own pace and have reflective fun with it.
Each day on the Calendar also has a prompt for something that you might do on that day as you do your self-accounting. The original version is from the Stephen Wise Temple in Los Angeles. It posted on a Face Book page for Rabbis preparing for the High Holy Days, by Rabbi Sari Laufer.
Again, you don’t have to do the exercise for everyday, but if you look at the Calendar, I am certain you will find a prompt that interests you. Have fun!!! SEE THE LINK TO THE CALENDAR BELOW.
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The Importance of Insignificance
If a bird’s nest happens to be before you on the road…and the mother is roosting on the young birds or on the eggs…. You shall surely send away the mother and take the young for yourself, so that it will be good for you and you will prolong your days. Deuteronomy 22:6-7.
It seems straightforward enough. One must protect the mother bird from being a horrified witness to the kidnapping of her own children; we must shield her from pain. Through it we learn that ethical behavior extends to all of our actions. Even to those actions which seem insignificant in our human-centered world.
But, I believe there is a deeper meaning. Upon closer examination it would appear that the insertion of this Torah law here, when it will be read during the month of Elul, is not by chance. Indeed, the Text expresses the essence of our task in the month of Elul. These 29 days represent a time during which we reflect on the past year. Our tradition beseeches us to review our actions, to examine our relationships, and to fully assess ourselves. We do this in order to try to improve ourselves, but also so that God will look upon us favorably at the time of judging us during the Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe (The High Holy Days).
In a wonderfully subtle way the two verses cited above provide us with a basic starting point from which we can springboard to accomplish our self-assessment. We are being taught that we need to recognize that every action we take, no matter how seemingly trivial, has an impact on others around us. We might be inclined to see the act of taking an egg from a nest as merely an attempt to feed ourselves. We are hungry. We see an egg. We take it. It is simple. However, this piece of Torah is reminding us that nothing is simple. If we take that egg, we may well ultimately satisfy our hunger, but we are also taking something hugely precious to the mother bird.
We are being taught that it would be improper to think or say, “It’s only a bird.” Instead we must question how our actions will affect those around us, even a bird. If we must worry about the impact of our actions upon a bird, how much more so must we worry about the effect of our actions upon the people around us?
The lesson to be learned is that any action we take, no matter how seemingly insignificant it may seem, has far reaching, and often unconsidered, consequences. The Torah is imploring us to recognize that before we do something, we should consider not only the initial impact of that action, but the secondary and tertiary effects as well. We are required to take note of the bigger picture. The mother bird is not just a bird. Rather, she also represents all of humanity and the world in which we live.
As if to highlight the connection between Parashat Ki Tetze and Elul, verse 7 ends by telling us that if we act as described, we will “prolong” our days. This hints at our ultimate goal during the Yamim Noraim. Our introspective reflection during Elul is intended to prepare us for God’s ultimate review of us during the High Holy Days. The message in the Text is that if we are mindful of our actions and how they impact those around us (all of those around us), we stand a better chance of being in God’s good graces and therefore have a greater possibility of finding ourselves with a positive judgment and looking forward to a happy and healthy New Year.
The mother bird, or the chick, or the egg, or the nest, may seem insignificant, but how we treat them is most definitely not. Acting with kindness and justice toward others, improves our lives and provides a model for how to make the world a better place.
Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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Membership
We are actively trying to increase our number of paid memberships in our organization. As we all realize, this is not a “normal” world that we are living in and many of the activities we would love to participate in, aren’t happening. Therefore, the Executive Committee of the Women’s Auxiliary have decided to extend this membership of 2019-2020 through 2021, therefore, if you have paid to join or to those who are still deciding to join, your membership fee will include next year’s membership.
All paid members are going to be receiving an invitation to a Zoom Luncheon scheduled for Wednesday, September 30th at 12:00 PM. Prepare a salad, sandwich or maybe just a cocktail lol (it is past 5:00 PM somewhere), greet, meet and lets gab while we enjoy an hour of friendship and camaraderie and hopefully make plans for our future activities.
Please join now!
Mystic Meat and Seafood in Ship Bottom will give the Women's Auxiliary at 5% donation on any individual orders. Orders can be placed with Renee and Phil. Let them know this order is to be recorded in the donation book for the JCC of LBI. Orders are curbside pick up only. Make your request over the phone with a credit card: 609-324-1194.
For more information, visit their web site: MYSTIC
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WAX PRESENTS
THE SUSAN (SHAPIRO) & FRIENDS
SUMMER SERIES
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"THE SUSAN" OF SUSAN AND FRIENDS
Thursday, October 1 @ 7:45 PM
Susan will be interviewed by Sondra Helene (author of the novel "Appearances")
about her Susan's new publication "A Palm Beach Scandal."
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JCC WOMENS AUXILIARY:
BOOK GROUP DISCUSSION
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23
AT 4:00 PM
LED BY: Luci Lewisohn
The High Holidays are coming! Our JCC is busy planning a very full calendar of classes during the month of Elul and a very meaningful high holiday zoom experience for all of us. The change of day and time for our book group is for September only. Wishing you and yours a very happy, healthy Jewish New Year. May we all be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life.
The #1 International Best Seller, The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem is a dazzling novel of mothers and daughters, stories told and untold, and the ties that bind four generations of women.
Gabriela's mother Luna is the most beautiful woman in all of Jerusalem, though her famed beauty and charm seem to be reserved for everyone but her daughter. Ever since Gabriela can remember, she and Luna have struggled to connect. But when tragedy strikes, Gabriela senses there's more to her mother than painted nails and lips.
ORDER YOUR BOOK NOW AND START READING TODAY!
Click here to purchase the book on Amazon. (Kindle version: $7.99 and Hard Cover: $11.98.)
A zoom link will be sent shortly before the event.
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SHABBAT SHALOM
Candle Lighting Time
Friday evening,
August 28, 2020
7:15 PM
(So. Ocean County NJ)
JOIN US FOR INTERNET
SERVICES
Friday evening,
August 28, 2020
6:00 PM
FRIDAY NITE
SERVICES WILL BE
HELD AT 6:00 PM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services
Saturday Morning
Service
Saturday,
August 29, 2020
10:00 AM - 12:00 NOON
Rabbi Jay will be conducting services from the sanctuary
this Saturday morning.
We hope to be both live streaming along with Zoom
To view the service go to the JCC website:
1. Go to website
2. Go across top to Religious Community
3. Go to Live Streaming in the pull down menu
4. Hit the play arrow on the screen to get into the live streaming for Shabbat Services starting
at 10:00 am
ZOOM LINK:
Aaron Lombardi will be reading Torah
Torah Portion
Parashat Ki Teitzei.
Deuteronomy 21:10 - 25:19
Here is the portion:
Haftorah
Isaiah 54:1 - 54:10
Here is the Haftorah:
Saturday,
August 21, 2020
8:30 PM
HAVDALLAH
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services:
Sunday - Thursday
Ma'ariv Service
7:30 PM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services:
Sunday - Friday
Shacharit & Shofar Service
8:15 AM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services:
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Fund Raising
ANNUAL 50/50 RAFFLE
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As is our custom, the 50/50 raffle drawing will be drawn after Yom Kippur on Monday, September 28th. Tickets remain at $10.00 each or $100 for a book of 11. Tickets will be mailed shortly. Please support the JCC by purchasing one or many, and don’t forget to sell some to others! Winners need not be present.
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PAVERS
Inscribe a paver at the front entrance to the building
8" X 4", 8" X 8" and 12" X 12"
SEE UPDATED ORDER FORM:
Become a permanent part of the JCC landscape.
Purchase a personalized paving stone
in honor of your family or in memory of a loved one.
Please contact Diane Hoffman
with your order or with any questions:
PRAYER BOOKS
There are still High Holiday Prayer Books and Chumashim available to be purchased in memory or honor of someone or something. The cost of a Prayer Book is $72 each and $120 for an Eitz Hayim Chumash. The donation includes an affirmation sticker in the book and an acknowledgement letter or letters.
TRIBUTES
SEND ONE OF OUR TRIBUTES IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY OF
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- congregation to serve the Jewish people of the area. Judith z"l & Donald Pripstein have joined the Shapiros with a $50,000 donation and have established The Pripstein Family Endowment Fund.
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.
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:
KOL HAKAVOD
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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JCC FUNDS
Your gift to the JCC support our Clergy, our Congregation and the Community.
ENDOWMENT FUND
This fund was established to assure the continuity of our JCC, and our ability to continue providing a full-service congregation to serve the Jewish people of the area. While a donation of any amount is encouraged, a donation of at least $50,000 allows the donor to name a special or specific Endowment Fund in memory or honor of a specific person event, or family.
GENERAL FUND
Donations to this fund are not earmarked but placed in the general administrative account. Donations to this fund can be in honor or memory of a person, event, or family.
KOL HAKAVOD FUND
Donations to this campaign supplement the clergy needs of our congregation.
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND – This fund, managed by the rabbi, allows donors to enable the rabbi to do the work of tzedakah in response to the needs of individuals, organizations and the community.
ZENA & JERRY JAY KIDDISH FUND - The Zena and Jerry Jay Kiddush Fund was established in memory of Rabbi Jay's parents to help provide funds for our Saturday morning kiddushes.
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ON LINE ACCOUNT
Members should have received an email from Rakefet (the data base we use for our records) this week inviting you to set up an account with the JCC so you can pay for activities and items on line as well ask keep track of your contributions.
Please contact Mary Beth in the office with any questions. Here is her email: MARYBETH
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THE JCC OF LBI IS LOCATED AT
2411 Long Beach Boulevard (24th Street)
Spray Beach, NJ 08008
Telephone: 609-492-4090 FAX: 609-492-7550
THE OFFICE IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED.
PLEASE USE THE PHONE OR EMAIL WITH REQUESTS.
OUR OFFICE STAFF WILL BE CHECKING IN REGULARLY.
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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 JULY/AUGUST
with this link
E-mail Editor: Rose Valentine
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Rae Hochman
Ethel Kates*
Elsie Lox
Rose Luterman
James Patrician
Morris Steinberg
Emil Koupf
Fran Lilienfeld
Billie Snyder
Mindy Greenbaum
Philip Nelson
Gertrude Ettman
Anne Millstein*
Stephen Zelin
Israel Gendel
Hannah Kagel
Alvin Smolker
Richard Deutsch
Seymour Fruchterman*
William Meisler
Max Ungar
Charles Alexander
Zachary Lieberman
Regina Kalmuk Millstein*
Milton Schiff
Felice Stein
Bessie Steinberg
Jack Streich
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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SHARE YOUR NEWS
AND PICTURES
CONTACT:
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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Lynn Berman
August 29
Paul Brenman
August 29
Robert Snyder
August 29
Barry Hartman
August 31
Arnold Buznitsky
September 2
Rita Fleischmajer
September 2
Sue Rubinfeld
September 3
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LATEST
BULLETIN:
PRAYER BOOK:
WEB SITE:
PAVERS:
TREE OF LIFE
YAHRZEIT PLAQUE FORM:
KOL HAKAVOD DONATION FORM
TRIBUTES:
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The pergola in the rear of the JCC property is for sale. The asking price is $750. Please contact Sherry Fruchterman if you are interested. fsherryf@yahoo.com
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