Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island E-Letter


December 10, 2021
6 Tevet 5782



A TORAH MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
Parashat Vayigash

With the Joseph story beginning to wind down, I would like to take time for a closer look at the hero of the story…..Judah. 

Wait! Did the Rabbi just say that “Judah” is the hero of the Joseph story? Isn’t Joseph the hero? He is the one who gets thrown in a pit, is sold into slavery, is falsely imprisoned, and still becomes Pharaoh’s top advisor. And he uses his lofty position to save Egypt, the world, and his family?

Yes, this is all true. But if we look at what happens in the bigger picture, it is Judah, whose actions cause Joseph to forgive his brothers and to welcome his family to Egypt, who should be lauded.

Let’s review Judah’s personal story which is interspersed throughout the Joseph story. In Chapter 37, just as the brothers are about to kill Joseph, Judah tells them not to kill Joseph. Instead, he suggests that they sell him the Ishmaelites. It is a better plan than killing Joseph, but Judah still is a part of the anti-Joseph mob which causes him to agree to something that is reprehensible. 

The next time we see Judah is the very next chapter (38). For some reason he is separated from his brothers. (Was he having a fight with them over the Joseph incident?) Unfortunately, he suffers the loss of two sons. He will not permit his son’s widow, Tamar, to immediately marry his third son. She then pretends to be a prostitute and Judah, not knowing it is Tamar, sleeps with her. He gives the prostitute/Tamar his staff as collateral for payment for services rendered. Later, when Tamar becomes pregnant, Judah goes to chastise her and she takes out the staff that Judah gave her and tells him that the owner of the staff got her pregnant. 

At that point, Judah, realized that the baby was his. Judah could have denied that he had relations with Tamar and, at that time in history, he probably would have been believed. Instead, he proclaims: “She is more in the right than I am!”. Judah accepts paternity. Twins are born (in a bizarre way). One of the twins is Perez. King David will be a direct-line descendant of Perez. Thus the line of Israelite kingship runs through Judah. But the point of the story is that Judah accepted responsibility for his (probably inappropriate) relationship with his widowed daughter-in-law. He seems to be heading toward becoming a mensch.

The next, and last, Judah-highlighted story occurs when the brothers have to go back to Egypt for more supplies. Joseph had told the brothers only to return to Egypt with Benjamin or he would have them killed. When Jacob says he would not permit Benjamin to go to Egypt, Judah pledges himself as collateral. Jacob then agrees to let Benjamin go to Egypt. 

Once in Egypt, Joseph places a goblet in Benjamin’s bag making it appear as if Benjamin stole it. When the bag is discovered, Joseph insists that Benjamin cannot return to Canaan. It is at this point that Judah steps in and implores Joseph to take Judah as his prisoner instead: “For how can I go back to my father unless the boy is with me? Let me not be witness to the woe that would overtake my father”.

It is Judas’ final selfless act that changes the arc of the entire story. At this point Joseph reveals himself and tells the brother that he is their brother and that all is okay. The whole family is then invited to live in Egypt.

Joseph is born beautiful and has the God-given talent of dream interpretation. He manages, with God’s help, to be Pharaoh’s second-in-command and he saves the world. For this he is acknowledged and thanked. However, it is the very human actions of Judah, his change from a jealous and plotting brother to one that is willing to put his life on the line for Benjamin, that creates the atmosphere necessary for the story to have a “happy” ending.

Could it be that this is the reason that we are ultimately called “Yehudim”, “Jews”, and not “Yosephim”, “Josephs”. Did Judah’s change from a jealous brother to a person of selfless courage make him worthy of future kingship and of being the name that will identify a people? Inquiring minds want to know.

Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay

SHABBAT SHALOM

Candle lighting Time
Friday evening,
December 10, 2021
4:14 PM
So. Ocean County
JOIN US FOR
SERVICES

Friday evening
December 10, 2021
6:00 PM
ZOOM ONLY

Here is 
your invitation from 
Rabbi Jay to Join
Zoom Services

Saturday morning
December 11, 2021
Services
9:00 AM
IN PERSON
AND ON ZOOM

Here is
your invitation from 
Rabbi Jay to Join
Zoom Services

 Torah Reading:
Parashat Vayigash
Genesis 44:18-47:27
Here is the Reading
Judah pleads on behalf of his brother Benjamin, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, Jacob comes down to Egypt, and Joseph's administration of Egypt saves lives but transforms all the Egyptians into bondmen.

Zach Lombardi will be reading Torah

Haftorah
Ezekiel 37:15 - 37:28 
Here is the Haftorah

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
12/16 7:00 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:
WE HAVE 3 EXCITING PROGRAMS SCHEDULED THIS WEEK. PLEASE JOIN US. SEE DATES, TIMES, LINKS AND DETAILS BELOW.
THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES

SUNDAY 12/12
10:00 AM
West Point Program

MONDAY 12/13
10:00 AM
Hartman Institute Seminar
"Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism'
with Rabbi Jay

TUESDAY 12/14
Open Mah jongg/Canasta
12:30 - 4 PM

WEDNESDAY 12/15
NO RABBI SACHS CLASS
7:30 PM
Federation Program honoring
Sophie Braun

THURSDAY 12/16
11:00 AM Torah Study with the Rabbi
2:00 PM Beginning Hebrew with Ira
7:15 PM WAX Speaker Sherry Fruchterman

Jewish Chapel at West Point
JEWISH LIFE AT WEST POINT
In 2019, West Point graduated its 1000th Jewish Cadet. This Sunday morning, December 12th at 10:00, join us on ZOOM as we show a documentary "Diversity on the Long Gray Line"and then have a question-and-answer session with Joel Kampf, Class of 1959, and several special Jewish graduates for a discussion of Jewish life at this fabled military academy.
Friday night Chanukah services at West Point
SOPHIE BRAUN BEING HONORED
We are so proud that Sophie Braun, daughter of Kim and Josh Braun and grandaughter of Renee & Rob Van Naarden is being honored. MAZEL TOV TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY. To register for the program see this link.
WAX PROGRAM THIS THURSDAY AT 7:15 PM
MA'ARIV AT 7:00 PM
Chaverah

Were Back and Planning

Looking forward to the coming months when we can be together again. We are planning our first day trip on a Sunday afternoon in the Spring for a visit to the Grounds for Sculpture and lunch at Rat's in Hamilton, NJ. Car pooling will be the mode of transportation, tickets are $18 and senor citizens are $15. Dates and times to be decided, but we are looking for your input:

  1. Are you interested in this event?
  2. Other suggestions for future events?

Please send an email to: jccoflbichaverah@gmail.com
More information to follow.
WAX BOOK CLUB

Wednesday, December 22nd at 4:00 PM Discussion Leader: Marlene Herman

Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland In its heyday, The Golden Hotel was the crown jewel of the hotter-than-hot Catskills vacation scene. For more than sixty years, the Goldman and Weingold families – best friends and business partners – have presided over this glamorous resort which served as a second home for well-heeled guests and celebrities. But the Catskills are not what they used to be. Long-buried secrets emerge, new dramas and financial scandal erupt, and everyone from the traditional grandparents to the millennial grandchildren wants a say in the hotel’s future. Business and pleasure clash in this fast-paced, hilarious, nostalgia-filled story, where the hotel owners rediscover the magic of a bygone era of nonstop fun even as they grapple with what may be their last resort.

UPCOMING MOVIE NIGHTS
MOVIE ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON
IN PERSON ONLY AT THE JCC OF LBI
In 1941, the inhabitants of a small Jewish village in Central Europe organize a fake deportation train so that they can escape the Nazis and flee to Palestine.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19TH AT 4:00 PM
Vaccination and Masks requried to attend.

Discussion led by Ira Morgenthal following the showing of the movie.
Mary Berkowitz
Larry Boxer
Marilyn Morgenthal*
Samuel Rosenberg
Lena Scheer
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
Benjamin Goodman*
Joseph Martin*
Howard Paitchel
Norman Rothman
Bernice Shechtman
Bertha Goldstein
Richard Kirsh
Hillary Levine
Susan Ossanna
Joshua Scharf
Mildred Tittelbaum

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.
Remembering Rosie Starr
Past Sisterhood President
Matriarch of the JCC of LBI
Cake
Lisa Schlossman
December 11
Arthur Davis
December 13
Marlene Herman
December 14
Ruth Hochberger
December 15
Gloria Kafka
December 15
Philip Rosenzweig
December 16
Stanley Spitzer
December 16

Shelia & Harris Weise
December 10th
55th Anniverary
l
Joel & Laura Leizer
December 12th
51st Anniversary

Art & Amy Schreer
December 13th
29th Anniversary

Above: Sheila and Harris Weisel on their wedding day 12/10/1966
Below: The Weisels at their 50th Anniversary Renewal of Vows 12/11/2016
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 

It is with great sadness that we share with you 
the news of the passing of long time JCC of LBI member

Lionel (Tiger) Wolpert

graveside services were held in Massachusetts last week.

Tiger was a head of the JCC Ritual Committee and he and his wife Millie z"l
were a vital part of all aspects of synagogue life here at the JCC.
Any conversation with Tiger ended with his saying
"zie gazunt" (goodbye/be healthy).

"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."


OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO

DEBBIE BAGNATO
OUR WONDERFUL KITCHEN HELPER

ON THE PASSING OF HER SON
CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL BAGNATO

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

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