JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF
LONG BEACH ISLAND
E-LETTER


December 30 2022
6 Tevet 5783
SHABBAT SERVICES THIS WEEK ARE ON ZOOM ONLY
A MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
In this week’s Torah portion, VaYiggash, Joseph, who had been playing coy with his brothers, finally decides to reveal his identity. His Revelation has almost as much impact on his brothers as God’s revelation at Sinai will have on the Israelites after they left Egypt. At this point, Joseph tells his brothers that they must all come to Egypt to live, safe from the famine that had been gripping the world.

But what was it that convinced Joseph to come clean to his brothers and to reward them? Throughout much of the story of Jacob and his children, there is much dysfunction. The brothers do not seam to be a unit. Even when they decide to get rid of Joseph, there is not 100% agreement on what should be done. In short, they are not a team.

Last week we saw that the brothers all tore their clothes and threw themselves prostrate on the ground when Joseph accuses Benjamin of stealing the goblet that Joseph had planted in Benjamin’s bag. Indeed, Judah comes to argue vociferously on Benjamin’s behalf and to protect Jacob, their father.

With Judah’s selfless request to be held prisoner in Benjamin’s stead, it seems that the brothers had finally learned how to be a team. Instead of arguing amongst themselves they determined what needed to be done for the good of the whole extended family. Community took precedence over the self-interest of each individual brother.

It is a good message. Rather than focusing on what needs to be done to make each of us happy, rather than be self-indulgent or seeking gain or praise for ourselves, we should be concerned with the larger community of which we are a part.

With God’s help, our JCC continues to be vibrant and growing. In this time of innovation and change, as we develop, each one of us, from the Rabbi, to each Board member, to each Congregant, should see himself or herself as a part of a team. We each need to consider how to continue to nurture, sustain, and improve upon what we have helped to create.

The Joseph story moves in a very positive direction once each brother sees himself as an integral part of a team. Similarly, the JCC’s amazing trajectory will be maintained as long as we continue to see ourselves as part of a larger community. 

The JCC is here for each of us and each of us, according to our own ability, is here for the JCC. Not a bad message to remember as we wind down 2022 and move into 2023.

Shabbat Shalom and a Happy Healthy New Year– Rabbi Michael S. Jay
Candle Lighting time
Friday evening
December 30, 2022
4:23 PM
(So. Ocean County)


JOIN US FOR
SERVICES

Friday night
December 30, 2022
7:30 PM
ON ZOOM ONLY
Here is 
your invitation from 
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services


Saturday Morning
December 31, 2022
9:00 AM
ON ZOOM ONLY
Here is
your invitation from 
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services

Torah Reading
Parashat Vayigash
Genesis 44:18-47:27
 Here is the Reading

Vayigash (“He Approached”) opens as Judah pleads with Joseph not to keep Benjamin as a prisoner. Joseph reveals his true identity to his brothers, crying and kissing them. The brothers bring Jacob from Canaan to Egypt, and Jacob and his children settle in Goshen. The portion ends as Joseph buys most of Egypt’s land in exchange for food.
Haftorah
Ezekiel 37:15-28
Here is the Haftorah

Saturday evening
Havdallah
NO HAVDALLAH SERVICE THIS WEEK

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:

MOVIE AND CHINESE: AN ADVENTURE
from your editor, Rose Valentine

It has been a custom for some Jews to spend Christmases going to the movies and eating Chinese food. Some say it is because Chinese restaurants and movie theaters are the only things open on Christmas and perhaps we feel the need to do something special on that day. When I was living in So. Carolina, I could figure out who was Jewish by checking out the local Chinese restaurant and movie theater on December 25.

This year, In keeping with this tradition, the JCC hosted a Christmas afternoon treat of a movie and Chinese supper. The preparation began by reaching out to a friend for a recommendation (thanks Penny) for good kosher Chinese restaurant in Lakewood. A call to Authentic Kosher on Clinton Avenue on Thursday to place an order for pickup on Sunday was the next step (they are closed on Friday and Saturday). Off we went late on Sunday morning to Lakewood. I had never been to Clinton Avenue; my Lakewood experience has always been on Route 9. It felt like a true city scene: Yeshiva boys scurrying along the sidewalk, with Rudy and I looking for a parking space in a bustling neighborhood. Inside the tiny shop, the phones were ringing off the hook. We sat and waited... and waited...for our order and watched as folks come in for their orders as well. I did worry that the order was correct since I added to it a few times. Finally, we were on our way back home to LBI, back to another world.

The afternoon began with the showing of the movie "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat" filmed in 1999 with a then young Donny Osmond and an even younger-looking Joan Collins. Since we are studying the story of Joseph in Rabbi's Torah study, the film was very appropriate. I couldn't help thinking, while much of the world is telling the story of the birth of Jesus, we were hearing our story of Joseph set to music.

An early dinner at 4:00 allowed everyone to get to know each other. The food was really good (egg rolls, wonton egg drop soup, beef and string beans, chicken chow mein, chicken with broccoli, vegetable lo mein and pineapple with fortune cookies). The only disappointment was there were no Chinese noodles for the chicken chow mein. How can you have chow mein without noodles????

It was a great afternoon, Thanks to everyone who helped with the clean up. Hope we can make this a tradition again next year.
THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES

NO MONDAY CLASS THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4

12:30 AM - 4 PM
Canasta & Mah Jongg

following Ma'ariv
7:45 PM
with Rabbi Jay
"Jewish Wisdom"
using the book
by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin

THURSDAY, JANUARY 5

11:00 AM Torah Study with the Rabbi
2:00 PM Beginning Hebrew with Ira
8:30 PM Eric Mandel Israel Update

SEE LINKS BELOW

January 5 - PJP Eric Mandel Israel Program

January 9 - JCC Clean Up

January 15 - JCC Clean Up

January 18 - WAX Book Group

January 21 - Cholent/Game Afternoon Shabbat

January 21 - Lighthouse International Film Society film at the JCC

January 26 - PJP History Zoom Series

WHAT'S NEW AT THE JCC

Saturday, January 21, 2023
7:30 PM

We are very excited to host the Lighthouse International Film Society's showing of the Oscar-nominated Israeli film "Cinema Sabaya." Eight women, Arab and Jewish, take part in a video workshop hosted by Rona, young filmmaker. With each camera take, the group dynamic forces the women to challenge their beliefs as they get to know one other.

Details to follow.
PNJ JEWISH TRAVEL PROGRAMS
Free of Charge to JCC Members & Friends

NEXT PJP TRAVEL PROGRAM: "The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam: A Visit to the Secret Annex”
Sunday, January 29 at 1:00 PM

COME JOIN US on a virtual tour of the Secret Annex in the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam to examine the extraordinary life of Anne Frank and how her legacy continues to inspire young people today. Led by educators from the Anne Frank House this webinar will leave plenty of time for Q&A. Prior to the virtual tour please view the powerful documentary “The Short Life of Anne Frank” to prepare for the webinar.
 
ADDITIONAL PJP PROGRAM

Thursday, January 5 @ 8:30 PM
Dr. Eric Mandel, Director, Middle East Political Information Network (MEPIN)
“Israel’s Challenges 2023: Iran, the Palestinians, Hezbollah, the Abraham Accords, and Anti-Semitism”

In this Zoom talk, we will analyze the threat of Iranian nuclear weapon, Israel's "War between the Wars" with Hezbollah, and the ring of fire Iran has created to surround and threaten Israel from all sides. We will take a deep dive into what Palestinians want and if they can accept a Jewish state in any territorial dimension. Finally, we will examine Anti-Zionism and the BDS movement, especially on the college campus, which are no less lethal a threat to Israel than a nuclear weapon.  
Passcode:  527448
The JCC is participating in the PNJ Consortium. An exciting 8-part series is being made available to our congregation.
You need not register.
NEXT PROGRAM JANUARY 26, 2022
JCC WOMEN’S AUXILIARY: BOOK GROUP DISCUSSION
 WEDNESDAYS AT 4:00 PM
Our book last discussion on Florence Adler Swims Forever had mixed reviews on the book itself. Lots of readers enjoyed the references to Atlantic City especially those who had spent their childhood there before the Casinos. There was much discussion on the question of keeping family secrets.
NEXT BOOK

Wednesday, January 18th at 4:00 pm
Discussion Leader: Sondi Pripstein
Three Sisters By Heather Morris

Against all odds, three Slovakian sisters have survived years of imprisonment in the most notorious death camp in Nazi Germany: Auschwitz. Livia, Magda, and Cibi have clung together, nearly died from starvation and overwork, and the brutal whims of the guards in this place of horror. From there, the three sisters travel to Israel, to their new home, but the battle for freedom takes on new forms. Livia, Magda, and Cibi must face the ghosts of their past--and some secrets that they have kept from each other--to find true peace and happiness.

FUTURE BOOKS:
February: House on Endless Waters
March: The Choice
April: Defending Brita Stein

ORDER YOUR BOOK FROM AMAZON AND START READING TODAY
Click here to order Three SistersClick here to order House on Endless WatersClick here to order The ChoiceClick here to order Defending Brita Stein

Click here to borrow the book from the Ocean County Library. 
RSVP to Debby Schweighardt, Book Group Coordinator at: dschweig19@gmail.com

A Zoom link will be sent shortly before the event.
CONGREGATION NEWS
The following names will be read by the Rabbi on Friday evening

Mary Berkowitz
Larry Boxer
Marilyn Morgenthal*
Samuel Rosenberg
Lena Scheer
Stuart D. Snyder
Sam Telles
Esther Ruta Mirrer*
Vernon Rosenberg*
Rosie Starr*
Rose Kleinfeld
Robert Ian Stevens*
Jay Unger
Susan Blumenfield*
Anne Galer
William Gordon
Samuel Horowitz*
Ann Kamler
Helene Lowenthal
Herman Marcus
Becky Reiff*
Alex Birnbaum*
John M. Furman
Eva Kaplan
Gertrude Rifkin
Larry Zwillman
Joseph Martin*
Howard Paitchel
Norman Rothman
Bernice Shechtman
Bertha Goldstein
Hillary Levine
Joshua Scharf
Mildred Tittelbaum
 
*Memorial plaque will be lit this week.

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.
Herb Shapiro
December 31
Joan Blattner
December 31
Stephen Lishnoff
January 1
David Hendler
January 2
Gary Morgenstern
January 3
Eileen Powitz
January 3
Max Scheer
January 3
Joel Rosenberg
January 4
Charles Schleifer
January 4
Howard Treatman
January 5
Paul & Renie Carniol
January 3
47th Anniversary
Robert & Lynn Levitt
January 5
59th Anniversary
Sherry & Howard Fruchterman
SHARE YOUR NEWS
AND PICTURES

CONTACT: 

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 

YOU CAN NOW FILL OUT A GIVING FORM AND PAY ON LINE IN ONE SIMPLE PROCESS.

Go to jccoflbi.org - community - forms

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

2023 MEMBERSHIP FORMS

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 communications and have not yet joined our congregation, here is the new member form:


JCC FUNDS

Your gift to the JCC supports 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 LEADERSHIP

OFFICERS
President- Phil Rosenzweig
1ST Vice President-Sherry Fruchterman
2ND Vice President-Diane Hoffman
3RD Vice President- Rose Valentine
Treasurer- Ira Morgenthal
Secretary- Cliff Denker
Immediate Past President -Michael Babst

BOARD MEMBERS
Howard Babbitt 
Diane Buskirk
Mitch Frumkin

Jon Geier
Paul Levine
Donald Pripstein
Terri Robinovitz
David Shatz
Rob Van Naarden

WOMEN'S AUXILIARY

President - Diane Buskirk
Co-Vice President - Noralyn Carroll
Co-Vice President - Jill Denker
Treasurer - Suzy Geier
Secretary - Joanne Babbitt
Immediate Past President - Irene Babst
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
MONDAY - FRIDAY
CLOSED THURSDAY
FROM 10 - 2

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


LATEST
BULLETIN:

PRAYER BOOK:
 
WEB SITE:

PAVERS:

TREE OF LIFE
  
YAHRZEIT PLAQUE FORM:

KOL HAKAVOD DONATION FORM

TRIBUTES:


CONTACT INFORMATION:
  Rabbi Michael S. Jay

Phil Rosenzweig, President

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