Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island E-Letter


January 21, 2022
19 Shevet 5782

FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK

Good Shabbos Everyone;

As I look back at last week, I, like all of you gave thanks that the hostage crisis in Colleyville TX. ended with none of the four (4) hostages being physically injured. The emotional toll, will take longer to heal. As a result, it made me look back almost four (4) years earlier, when the results were not the same. It was Shabbat morning, October 27, 2018 when a lone gunman by the name of Robert Gregory Bowers, entered the Tree of Life Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh PA, and started a killing spree that would leave eleven (11) members of the congregation dead and six (6) people including two police officers wounded. It would also change the way the JCC and other Jewish institutions around the country looked at their open-door policies.

We have welcomed summer’s strangers visiting Long Beach Island to come to our services at the JCC or on the beach. We now had to think about our own members and their safety. Your board discussed our concerns with the township police department, and a member who is a police officer. We talked to our insurance and alarm companies as well as our locksmith to find out what they suggested. We looked to the Ocean County Jewish Federation for what other communities were doing. We learned new terms like soft and hard targets, active shooter programs, evacuation training and fight or flight. We also quickly realized that whatever we do will be expensive! We soon realized that regardless of what we did, the safety and security of our members, guests and employees had to be our first priority. We began to formulate an action plan on what we would do and what we wanted for the future of the JCC. We had some good measures in place: a camera system and intercom, that would allow our office to speak to people at the door without opening it! We looked at private security companies that could supply us with an armed security officer or a sworn township police officer to be a physical deterrent. Again, we spoke to our experts and a decision was made which way to go.

A plan was developed and we began to secure our JCC and protect our members. This was done by setting up a controlled access system, which would allow our members access to the JCC, with a key fob system, while keeping the doors locked. We were in the process of issuing the fobs when Covid hit us. We hope to continue this process soon. We also signed a contract with the Long Beach Township Police Department to provide an officer to be stationed in the parking lot or inside the JCC when we were conducting services or if we were sponsoring a special event. We figured what would be our expenses, and how we would offset the cost. We decided to have an annual surcharge of $50.00 per family and $25,00 for single members, I want to thank all of you for your support. As current history shows, we made the right decision. What the facts show, is that those synagogues with a physical presence at their location are less likely to have a situation like Colleyville experienced. Can it still happen? Yes, but with what we currently have in place and the future training we will conduct, we will be more prepared for that type of situation. 

With your continued support, we will continue to thrive and grow to become the shining light of Judaism safety and security in Southern Ocean County.  
    
Shabbat Shalom

Mike        

A TORAH MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI

THE HOLINESS OF A MENTOR


When God sends Moses on a journey back to Egypt, Jethro sends him off willingly and takes care of Moses’ wife and children. So close is their relationship that when Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt, he makes sure to find his father-in-law to tell him everything that happened. The picture one conjures up of this scene is simply beautiful. Moses sitting alone with Jethro, telling him all of what had happened and painting a vivid picture of the myriad miracles that God performed on behalf of the Israelites. Envisioning Moses speaking while his father-in-law listens intently brings a smile to my face.

Jethro gives him positive feedback and acknowledges God's greatness in a blessing. (As a Priest, Jethro’s message has power) Moses must have loved the fact that his father-in-law fully and deeply appreciated what had happened. And then something unexpected occurs. Jethro, always the mentor, observes Moses' leadership style and gives him feedback and a provides way to do it better. He doesn't chastise Moses; he simply tells him that his leadership style is untenable.
Moses, who has up until this point been taking direction directly from God, humbly listens and puts Yitro’s plan into action. And it works. What a relationship!

Perhaps the most intriguing part of this is that Yitro is not even an Israelite. It is incredible that Moshe Rabbeinu, Moses Our Teacher, the greatest prophet, is taking direction from a priest from another religion! Interfaith dialogue began at an early stage.

I think; however, that the Torah is providing a bigger life lesson.  God is letting us know that a mentor is important. Connection with the Holy One is vital and necessary, but we all need to be blessed to have a bond with a person of maturity and wisdom upon whom we can rely to observe and give feedback; both positive and negative. Each of us needs a person whose only objective is to teach us how to sail the boat, but who has no interest in sailing the boat himself.
It is a blessing, and a gift, to have a person agree to give of his/her time, energy, and kindness. The message this week is to look for a mentor and seek to be one to someone else.
Get advice, give advice. When you are there for someone, and someone is there for you, the world becomes a better place.

Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay
 
In solidarity with Jews worldwide and in thanks for the safe release of the hostages in Colleyville, Texas,
 we will be reciting the
Birkat Hagomel:
A Blessing For Coming
through Trauma
together at services
Saturday morning
(we will do this at about 9:45.)

This prayer expresses gratitude for the miracle of healing and full restoration to life.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THIS SPECIAL PRAYER
Praised are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who graciously bestows goodness on the undeserving, and has bestowed me with goodness. Amen
 
 RESPONSE
May God who has been gracious to you, continue to favor you with all that is good. Amen

SHABBAT SHALOM


Candle lighting Time
Friday evening,
January 21, 2022
4:45 PM
So. Ocean County
JOIN US FOR
SERVICES

Friday evening
Jauary 21, 2022
6:00 PM
ZOOM ONLY
Here is 
your invitation from 
Rabbi Jay to Join
Zoom Services

Saturday morning
January 22, 2022
Services
9:00 AM
ZOOM ONLY


SHABBAT SERVICES WILL CONTINUE ON ZOOM
FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY

Here is
your invitation from 
Rabbi Jay to Join
Zoom Services

 Torah Reading:
Parashat Yitro
Exodus 18:1-20:23 
Here is the Reading

Parashat Yitro tells of Jethro's organizational counsel to Moses and God's revelation of the Ten Commandments to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. 
Haftorah
Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6
Here is the Haftorah

Torah Study following services at 11:45

Saturday evening
5:30 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:

Monday- Friday
Shacharit Service
8:15 AM
Sunday at 9:00 AM

Here is 
your invitation from 
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services:
"Kol Nashim": A Woman’s Look at Torah and Tefillah
An Exciting WAX Series

Lead by dynamic Jewish educators, together we will study Torah and Tefillah from a woman’s point of view. Our faculty includes: Hazzan Sara Geller, Dr. Deborah Miller, Dana Newborn, Sheri Jay and Marlene Herman

OUR FIRST PROGRAM

Wednesday, Feb. 2th 11:30 AM on ZOOM
"Images of Hagar--Text and Art"
led by Dr. Deborah D. Miller

Meet our Distinguished Presenter:

Debby is the former Associate Director of the Melton Research Center for Jewish Education. She taught educators, rabbis and cantors “Methods of Teaching Prayer” and “Methods of Teaching Bible” at JTS. Debby was the founding Project Director and Editor of MaToK, the Bible curriculum for day schools. 

Before coming to JTS, Debby headed the Solomon Schechter Day School of Raritan Valley. Her first day school positions were teaching at what is now Golda Och Academy. She has also worked in congregational school and informal settings. She does outreach work for Tivnu: Building Justice, a gap year program in Portland, Oregon.

Debby is the author of five Jewish children’s books, including Only Nine Chairs: A Tall Tale for Passover, (Kar-Ben) a PJ book selection, and My Siddur, published by Behrman House.

Debby is a deliriously happy member of Congregation Agudath Israel in Caldwell, NJ, which is how she knows Rabbi Jay and Sherri. Debby’s biggest claim to fame is that she is the mother of Arielle and Adinah, and the grandmother of Sam, Zeke and Nadiv. She is married to Rabbi Clifford B. Miller.
THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES


MONDAY 1/24
10:00 AM
Hartman Institute Seminar
"Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism"
with Rabbi Jay

WEDNESDAY 1/26
4:00 PM
WAX Book Discussion

following Ma'ariv
7:45 PM
Studying the weekly portions
with Rabbi Jay based on the book
"Judaism’s Life-Changing Ideas"
by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

THURSDAY 1/27
11:00 AM Torah Study with the Rabbi
2:00 PM Beginning Hebrew with Ira

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Wednesday, 1/26
WAX BOOK DISCUSSION
4:00 PM

Sunday, 1/30
LANIE KAZAN CONCERT
8:00 PM

Movie Night
A LOOK AT LAST WEEK'S PROGRAM

Thank you to Rabbi Jay for leading us in a thoughtful discussion of the movie "The Chosen".

We hope you enjoyed our film series.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Wednesday, 2/3
KOL NASHIM SERIES
PART 1
11:30 AM

Friday, 2/4
SHABBAT DINNER
6:00 PM

Sunday 2/6
ARE YOU PREPARED?
WAX PROGRAM
1:00 PM

Wednesday, 2/23
WAX BOOK DISCUSSION
4:00 PM

Sunday, 2/27
SARAH AROESTE LADINO MUSIC FROM YESTERDAY TO TODAY
5:00 PM
(more informatio to follow)

Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island is pleased to present
Lainie Kazan
Up Close and Personal
Sunday, January 30, 2022
8:00 PM EST - Zoom
Zoom log-in sent later next week.
Last date to register: Friday, Jan. 28, 2022
FRIDAY Night Shabbat Dinner (ZOOM)
February 4, 2022
Services at 6:00 PM
and dinner following.  We will Schmooze, sing, pray, Schmooze, learn, eat, and Schmooze some more! Dinner following candle lighting and kaddish in your own private chat room with friends or new friends.
JCC WOMENS AUXILIARY: BOOK GROUP DISCUSSION
 WEDNESDAYS AT 4:00 PM
Discussion Leader: Arlene Schragger
"The Last Kings of Shanghai" by Jonathan Kaufman

An epic, multigenerational story of two rival dynasties who flourished in Shanghai and Hong Kong as twentieth-century China surged into the modern era, from the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist
The Sassoons and the Kadoories stood astride Chinese business and politics for more than one hundred seventy-five years, profiting from the Opium Wars; surviving Japanese occupation; courting Chiang Kai-shek; and nearly losing everything as the Communists swept into power. Jonathan Kaufman tells the remarkable history of how these families ignited an economic boom and opened China to the world, but remained blind to the country's deep inequality and to the political turmoil on their doorsteps. In a story stretching from Baghdad to Hong Kong to Shanghai to London, Kaufman enters the lives and minds of these ambitious men and women to forge a tale of opium smuggling, family rivalry, political intrigue, and survival.

Future books

Discussion Leader: Gloria Canter
"Jerusalem Maiden" by Talia Carner

Wednesday, March 23rd at 4:00 pm
Discussion Leader: Rose Valentine
"The Forest of Vanishing Stars" by Kristin Harmel

Wednesday, April 27th at 4:00 pm
Discussion Leader: Nora Hochman
"Hotel Moscow" by Talia Carner
NEW DATE
Also in stock - Mezuzah Scrolls
Anna Herman
Gene Klein
Selma Shapiro
William Silver
Edwin Greenfield
Shaindel Hupert
Nettie Rosenthal
Ethel Sharken
Janet Stern
Anna Weill*
Rose Diane Segal
Sydney Sussman
Sidney Berkowitz
Robyn Lynn Caspento
Nette Ehrlich
Daniel Glassman*
Leonard Schey
Jerry Weisberg*
Estelle Gottesman
Tee Gottlieb*
Harold Koyner*
Morris Miller*
Etta McEwan
Ruth Schwartz

In this Zoom era, we have been able to have a daily minyan at 8:15 AM and at 7:30 PM and on Shabbat. We encourage you to join us on the day of your loved one’s yahrzeit. In the morning, the service is about ½ hour beginning at 8:15 and in the evening at 7:30 until about 7:45. Rabbi will be glad to say the traditional El Malei Rachamim prayer for you, which is recited during the funeral, going up to the grave of the departed, Yizkor remembrance day and other occasions on which the memory of the dead is recalled. You are also welcome to share with the minyan some special memories of your loved one.
UPDATED INFORMATION ON THE SERVICES AND SHIVA FOR

JAY SOLAN
father of JCC of LBI member
Jill Solan Denker

Friday, January 21, the short graveside service will be at 11:00 am and the memorial service will be at 2:00 pm. Both will be shared via Zoom.
Zoom link for Graveside Service: https://tinyurl.com/2ha2fm2f
Zoom link for Memorial Service: https://tinyurl.com/43rmkrar
On Saturday, Sandy, and her family will hold Shiva via Zoom from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. 
Zoom link for Shiva: https://tinyurl.com/52w9ep28
On Sunday, you can join Jill, Cliff, Marisa, and Rachel for Shiva via Zoom from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm,
Zoom link for Shiva: https://tinyurl.com/52w9ep28

TO
our Kitchen Manager
SUE BERUBE
on the birth of her grandson
Liam Edward Boan

Cake
Maxine B. Freedman
January 22
Marlene Matz
January 22
Margo Weill
January 22
Dean Adler
January 23
Denni Koupf
January 23
Rita Pepperman
January 23
Herbert Zemble
January 24
Martha Serepca Frank
January 25
Eileen L. Rosen
January 25
Evelyn Stern
January 25
Barry Sussman
January 25
Brian Gottesman
January 26
Robert Van Naarden
January 26
Annbeth Katz
January 27
Karen Schwing
January 27
Cookie Botwinick
January 28
 
Aaron & Anne Karp
January 22
11th Anniversary
Richard & Jill Berson
January 24th
51st Anniversary
Ronald & Diane Buskirk
January 24th
46th Anniversary
Melvin & Helyn Benjamin
January 26th
66th Anniversary
 
 
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 

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

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.
See Order form here: Prayer Book


TRIBUTES
SEND ONE OF OUR TRIBUTES IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY OF
See order form here: TRIBUTES


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

Herb and Selma z”l Shapiro established the first individual Endowment Fund in memory of his father, as part of the JCC’s Endowment Fund portfolio.

Since then, three additional individual Endowment Funds have been established. Other members are encouraged to also provide for the future of our JCC by establishing similar funds. Please consider adding to this number.

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 named funds will be joined together to be part of the Endowment Fund portfolio.
 
Endowment funds are necessary to ensure the continuation and well being of our congregation. All members are encouraged to help this important effort by contributing to this portfolio, whether as a specific named individual fund, or as a general donation. The donation can be spread over one, two, or three years, and can be paid via check, donation of appreciated stock, wills, or from the RMD of your IRA or 401K account. 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

2022 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Membership renewal letters were sent out last week. Your support is so important to the continued success of the JCC.
Here is form for renewal:

And if you have been reading our Shabbat Reminder and other communicatios and have not yet joined our congregation, here the a new member form:

To pay on line
Click on PAY ON LINE
Fill in your information and then
go to Donation Details - then
Other and type in 2022 Membership

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.
JCC INFORMATION

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
web site: www.jccoflbi.org  
  
THE OFFICE IS OPEN TUESDAY AD THURSDAYS
FROM 10 - 2
CONTINUE TO USE THE PHONE OR EMAIL WITH REQUESTS.
OUR OFFICE STAFF WILL BE CHECKING IN REGULARLY.


 Staff:
 Leslie Dinkfelt, Office Manager
  Mary Beth Krieger, Staff Member
Kitchen Manager: Susan Berube


LATEST
BULLETIN:

PRAYER BOOK:
 
WEB SITE:

PAVERS:

TREE OF LIFE
  
YAHRZEIT PLAQUE FORM:

KOL HAKAVOD DONATION FORM
KOL HAKAVOD

TRIBUTES:


CONTACT INFORMATION:
  Rabbi Michael S. Jay

Michael Babst, President

 
E-mail Editor: Rose Valentine 
rvalen1963@aol.com 
Graphics by
Irene Babst