Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island E-Letter
January 15, 2021
2 Shevet 5781
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"Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him."
1929-1968
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A MESSAGE FROM
RABBI JAY
This past Wednesday, 29 Tevet/January 13th marked the first Yahrtzeit of my dad, Jerry Jay, Z”L. That date marked the official end of my year of mourning for him. On Tuesday evening, my three brothers and I each lit a (24 hr) Yahrtzeit candle, in our respective homes, and went about the business of finding significance and meaning in the conclusion of the mourning period.
In our tradition, saying Kaddish for a parent is a marathon. We began saying the prayer at my dad’s funeral and, as is the custom, we said it for the first 11 months of mourning. For us, this period consisted of 324 days. According to my calculations, I said Kaddish for my dad around 1200 times. Under normal circumstances that number would have been slightly more than 1,600 times. The pandemic has had weird consequences. Regardless, 1200 is a lot of Kaddishes.
While saying the same prayer over and over again might seem tedious, each Kaddish was an opportunity to remember and to connect. As such, just like the memories conjured, each Kaddish had a different feel to it; each Kaddish had a different personality.
Saying Kaddish that many times guaranteed that I thought about my dad a lot. I remembered the laughs. I remembered the arguments. I remembered the times he was proud. I remembered the times he was not so proud. I thought of the calls I should have made. I thought of the visits I did make. I thought of his strength. I conjured up the twinkle in his eye as he did his unique word play. I remembered traveling with him to his clients’ offices; I recalled that they joked a lot, and that they hung on his every word when he gave advice. I remembered sitting together in shul on the holidays; I marveled at the fact that he always knew what page we were on. I remembered playing with the fringes on his Tallis. I remembered nervously holding the steel wedge as he swung the sledgehammer to split a log. I recalled how carefully he cooked on the barbecue; even a hot dog required tender care. I remembered Sammi calling out “Pa Jerry” and the intense look on her face as he explained to her all about the fish in his fish tank. I recalled that he had the ability to discuss any topic with authority. It’s funny, but during several “Kaddishes” I remembered the many “Kiddushes”; my dad loved to chant the blessing over the wine on Shabbat and on holidays.
It was not “what” I remembered about my dad that was important. Our tradition teaches us that the important thing is simply that I “remembered” my dad.
Here is what I would love you to do. Find out when your loved one’s Yahrtzeit is. On that morning (or the night before) come to services (the zoom links are on the website) and say Kaddish. (If you don’t know how to say Kaddish, we can help you.) After the service you can share a memory of your loved one.
A Memory is powerful. A Recollection comforts. A Remembrance brings peace.
A feeling of deep love is only a reminiscence away.
Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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Candle Lighting Time
Friday evening,
January 15, 2021
4:37 PM
(So. Ocean County NJ)
JOIN US FOR SERVICES
ON ZOOM
Friday evening
January 15, 2021
6:00 PM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services
Saturday morning
January 16, 2021
Torah Study
9:00 AM
Services
10:00 AM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services
Torah Portion
Parashat Vaera
Exodus 6:2-9:35
Here is the Parshah
Zack Lombardi will be reading Torah this Shabbat
Haftorah
Ezekiel 28:25 - 29:21
Here is the Haftorah:
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Havdallah
Saturday
January 16, 2021
6:00 PM
Sunday - Thursday
Ma'ariv Service
7:30 PM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services:
Sunday - Friday
Shacharit Service
8:15 AM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services:
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MONDAY 1/18 @ 10:00 AM
Chumash Class (Peoplehood) with Rabbi Jay
WEDNESDAY 1/20 @ 8:00 PM
Rabbi's University Class
NO CLASS THIS WEEK
WAX Book Review with
Maggie Anton
Wednesday, 1/20
4:00 PM
THURSDAY 1/21
11:00 AM Torah Study with the Rabbi
2:00 PM Beginning Hebrew with Ira
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HERE ARE THE LINKS FOR THE ACTIVITIES FOR THIS WEEK |
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Valentine's Day
AN EVENING OF 0PERA, BROADWAY & GREAT JEWISH CLASSICS
And Wine Tasting
Featuring
CANTOR DAVID BABINET
WITH PIANIST YISROEL EDELSON
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH
7:30 PM - ZOOM EVENT
$50.00 Per Link
Wine sold Separately
This event is a collaboration between JCC and the Women’s Auxiliary (WAX) of Long Beach Island. Thank you to our sponsors for their support!
for the details of our newest event planned for Sunday, February 14, 2021. There are clickable links in the document that will allow you to register, pay for event and order your wine. Wine purchase not necessary.
Hope to see you there!!
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If you are a member and have registered to pay on line through our website, click on the link below and put your ticket order under CONCERT EVENTS and in the comment box put VALENTINE. This link will take you to membership and just scroll down for Membership Account Log In. |
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A great way to make a difference In Israel's future from the comfort of your home.
In Israel, access to the English language is really dependent on your economic status, and is English proficiency is the largest barrier to University entry for underprivileged students. Some of the members of our Synagogue have been mentoring a student through an organization called Israel Connect. This organization works with Israel's Ministry of Education to identify regions most in need, and works with the teachers to provide access to all students. Using Zoom, you can tutor a high school student in Israel from the comfort of your home. The whole interaction is enjoyable and simple, and it makes all the difference for the student. You can see a little more from the video below, or from their website www.IsraelConnect.Today
OR
ARLENE SCHRAGGER @ 609-240-1306
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JANUARY
WAX Book Review with
Maggie Anton
Wednesday, 1/20
4:00 PM
Movie nite
Thursday, 1/21
7:45 PM
"Funny Girl"
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Another enjoyable Shabbat Dinner and Service was held last Friday night with Julian Bregman delighting everyone with his music and enthusiasm. You can see the evening on our web site by just clicking on this link. |
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FEBRUARY
Shabbat Dinner
Friday, 2/5
6:00 PM
Women's Shabbat Service
Saturday, 2/13
10:00 AM
WAX Valentine's Day Wine & Song
Sunday, 2/14
7:30 PM
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."Leonard Bernstein -
The Musician, The Man"
A Talk by Larry Rosendorf
Thursday, 2/18
7:15 PM
WAX Hamantashen Bake
Sunday, 2/21
10:30 AM
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WAX HAPPENINGS
click on the link below to review all the upcoming WAX events
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JCC WOMENS AUXILIARY: BOOK GROUP DISCUSSION
THE 3RD WEDNESDAY, AT 4:00 PM
CONTINUES....
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Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 4:00 PM
The dramatic final book in the epic historical trilogy about the lives and loves of the three daughters of the great Talmud scholar Rashi
Rachel is the youngest and most beautiful daughter of medieval Jewish scholar Salomon ben Isaac, or "Rashi." Her father's favorite and adored by her new husband, Eliezer, Rachel's life looks to be one of peaceful scholarship, laughter, and love. But events beyond her control will soon threaten everything she holds dear. Marauders of the First Crusade massacre nearly the entire Jewish population of Germany, and her beloved father suffers a stroke. Eliezer wants their family to move to the safety of Spain, but Rachel is determined to stay in France and help her family save the Troyes yeshiva, the only remnant of the great centers of Jewish learning in Europe.
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THIS WEEK'S YAHRZEITS
The following names will be read at Friday night services.
Erik Cameron, MD
Perla Zavelson
Lillian Kenter*
Frieda Klein
Martin Nissenblatt
Mary Esther Sprague Ruoff*
Ben Scharf
Helen Tebeleff
Milton Elefant
Henry Hirsh
William Jaslow
Jack Kaplan
Stella Schub
Joseph Stern
Arthur Sussman
Marvin Alexander
Romeo Dicicco
Phyllis Greenfield
David Lipsitz
Bernard Matz
Esther Sheparde
Harold Simandl
Mel Ehrich
Abraham Robin*
Todd Michael Spencer*
David Brill*
Donald Brill*
Isador Dalinsky
Henry Rosen
Peter Ungar
Erma Glass
Anna Gottlieb*
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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.
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Don Abramson
January 16
Justin Brasch
January 16
Marjorie Fagan
January 16
Lori Israelite
January 16
H. Morton Scott
January 17
Elyse Tepper
January 17
Audrey Wisotsky
January 18
Helyn Benjamin
January 19
Sherry Fruchterman
January 19
Stacey Garb
January 19
Alan Gordon
January 20
Rona Stein
January 20
Maxine B. Freedman
January 22
Marlene Matz
January 22
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SHARE YOUR NEWS
AND PICTURES
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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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CONDOLENCES TO
Joy Kern
on the passing of her husband Ron
Joy & Ron are former members of the JCC
"May God remember forever our dear ones who have gone to their eternal rest. May they be at one with the One who is life eternal. May the beauty of their lives shine for evermore, and may our lives always bring honor to their memory."
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A LONG TIME AND MOST GENEROUS MEMBER HAS CHALLENGED US TO RAISE $50,000 BY MARCH 15 AND IF WE DO—HE WILL MATCH OUR FUNDRAISING WITH HIS OWN NEW $50,000 GIFT TO THE JCC!!
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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Phil Rosenzweig, JCC First Vice President
Chair of Fundraising Committee
610-263-0124 (direct)
610-263-0115 (main)
215-754-4139 (efax)
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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.
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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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
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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
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