Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island E-Letter
January 8, 2021
25 Tevet 5781
|
|
|
The website to pre-register for the Covid-19 vaccine
is live now!
This site allows the public to pre-register for eligibility, and allows you to input your personal, contact, health insurance, and demographic information. It will also allow for individuals to schedule an appointment for those who are immediately eligible based on screening questions. (Please note, keep trying if you can't access the site immediately.)
|
|
SHABBAT DINNER THIS FRIDAY NIGHT |
|
You are invited to attend our fourth Shabbat dinner on Friday, January 8, 2021 at 6:00 PM. Please plan on joining us for a Shabbat filled with friendship and community.
We will start our evening with the blessings and services, followed by a period of sharing your Shabbat dinner with family and friends in a breakout room. If you have no specific request and are open to making new friends, please respond to this email and we will arrange for you to be seated with a fabulous group of people.
Please click on this link and fill in the form by Friday, January 8 at 3:00 PM. List your name(s), (couple(s) or single(s), and include the names of friends and family to be included in your private breakout room or send an email to: JCCOFLBIShabbatDinner.
Or join at the last minute, all are welcome!
This is our fourth celebration of this type of event, hoping to see you then!!! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Rabbi Jay (973) 865-9534 or Irene B. at (856) 904-5145 for dining arrangements.
Rabbi Jay and Sheri
Michael and Irene B.
|
|
 |
A MESSAGE FROM
RABBI JAY
It is sad to have to acknowledge that the beginning of 2021 did not mark the end the darkness of 2020. Indeed, so far, 2021 is very much continuing(many would say “exceeding”) the previous year’s low-points. However, as of this writing, there are still 358 days left in 2021. So, if one chooses to be cautiously optimistic, there is still hope for a major correction.
I am still trying to grasp the gravity of what happened in this country that we love on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. In my position as a Rabbi, as a teacher, and as a spiritual leader, I mostly try to speak, with a centrist message. My perspective has always been that the universe is full of myriad ideas and ideals, and we should be open to letting ourselves and others explore them. As a part of this, I have always believed that, for the most part, just because person “A” and person “B” do not agree, this does not mean that they should be unable to break bread together. Nor does it mean that they should be unable to speak a nice word to each other. Nor does it mean that they should hate each other. As I have lamented previously, this is unfortunately not the reality in the world in which we find ourselves.
Whatever the issue may be, the right to peacefully protest is part of the foundational fabric of our country. However, when protesting, there is absolutely no place for violence against people, property, or our Government and its institutions. Violently storming our Capital building went so far beyond permissible protest, that it must be universally condemned. The people directly responsible for yesterday’s violence have done a great disservice to our country and to all it stands for and they should be prosecuted for what they have done.
Thankfully, responsible leaders, on both sides of the aisle, have forcefully denounced the violence and have called for unity moving forward. But words are never enough. Steps must be taken to ensure that this does not happen again. It will take time, patience, the right leadership, and very hard work.
Now is the time for unity, for respectful debate, and for the end of ad hominem attacks. In truth, I believe that change happens best when it is “bottom-up”. This means that, if we want to see things change for the better, we actually need to be the agents of change.
The Torah can help to set us on the correct path. In Parashat Shemot, there are agents of change who look at the cruel world in which they find themselves and say (by their actions): “This is not acceptable.”
Moses is an obvious example but, Moses is prompted in his quest by God. In truth, it is the midwives, Puah and Shifra, and the daughter of Pharaoh who, on their own, take the first steps to change the world.
When Pharaoh orders the midwives to kill the Hebrew babies, Puah and Shifra could have gone along with the program. They didn’t. Instead, despite the order from the king, they refused to commit infanticide. Of their own volition, and without prompting from anyone, or from god, they took steps to change the way world. It only took two people to make a difference.
When the daughter of Pharaoh saw the Hebrew baby (Moses) in the Nile, she could easily have dumped the basket over and complied with her father’s edict to throw each baby boy into the Nile. She did not do it. She refused to follow the system and she changed the world. She, too, was not prompted by God or anyone else. One person changed the course of history.
The midwives and the daughter of Pharaoh had an inner sense of what was the correct thing to do. They did not wait for someone else to step in. They did not hesitate. They acted in accordance with their conscience. And they acted quickly. In so doing, they healed the world.
Is there anyone in our community who can emulate them?
Here is what I ask you to do. Be a change agent. Be the one who acts. Be the healer.
Don’t forget what happened on January 6th. Instead use the energy that it has created in you to propel you to move past it. Speak with the person with whom you disagree. Listen to what that person has to say and make sure that that person listens to what you have to say.
Like the midwives and like the daughter of Pharaoh, don’t simply accept the world the way it is. Take steps to change it. God willing, maybe with your help, 2021 will in the end, be the year that we learn to be brothers and sisters again. Perhaps it will be the year that we put “United” back into the United States.
Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay
|
|
|
|
Candle Lighting Time
Friday evening,
January 8, 2021
4:30 PM
(So. Ocean County NJ)
JOIN US FOR SERVICES
ON ZOOM
Friday evening
January 8, 2021
6:00 PM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services
SERVICE
followed by Zoom Dinner
Saturday morning
January 9, 2021
Torah Study
9:00 AM
Services
10:00 AM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services
Torah Portion
Parashat Shemot
Exodus 1:1-6:1
Here is the Parshah
Haftorah
Isaiah 27:6 - 28:13; 29:22 - 29:23
Here is the Haftorah:
|
Havdallah
Saturday
January 9, 2020
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:
|
We are excited to have Julian Brenman join us again for Shabbat Dinner. He will lead us in song and bring joy to our Shabbat. |
|
|
|
MONDAY 1/11 @ 10:00 AM
Chumash Class (Peoplehood) with Rabbi Jay
WEDNESDAY 1/13
@ 8:00 PM
Rabbi''s University Class
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
"Jewish Narratives of Peace"
THURSDAY 1/14
11:00 AM Torah Study with the Rabbi
2:00 PM Beginning Hebrew with Ira
8:00 PM WAX Meeting
|
|
|
HERE ARE THE LINKS FOR THE ACTIVITIES FOR THIS WEEK |
|
|
|
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!!
|
|
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. |
|
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
|
|
JANUARY
Shabbat Dinner
Friday, 1/8
6:00 PM
WAX Meeting
Thursday 1/14
8:00 PM
WAX Book Review with
Maggie Anton
Wednesday, 1/20
4:00 PM
Movie nite
Thursday, 1/21
7:45 PM
"Funny Girl"
|
|
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, 1/14
7:30 PM
"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
|
|
|
WAX HAPPENINGS
click on the link below to review all the upcoming WAX events
|
|
|
|
|
Rockin' Sisters
JCC of LBI
WOMEN’S AUXILIARY
|
|
|
|
Thursday, January 14, 2021 – 8:00 PM
Women’s Health Topics
The Women’s Auxiliary cordially invites you to participate in a discussion on women’s health which includes the benefits of acupuncture presented by Lisa Abramson and a discussion on the benefits of exercise, nutrition, and essential oils/soaps presented by Thomas Ascough, owner of Tascofit/Savvy Fit Soaps. Please join us for this very informative meeting.
|
|
JCC WOMENS AUXILIARY: BOOK GROUP DISCUSSION
THE 3RD WEDNESDAY, AT 4:00 PM
CONTINUES....
|
|
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.
ORDER YOUR BOOK NOW AND START READING TODAY!
Click here to purchase all 3 books in the series on Amazon. Click here to go to the Ocean County Library. A zoom link will be sent shortly before the event.
|
|
|
THIS WEEK'S YAHRZEITS
The following names will be read at Friday night services.
Rose Kanis
Betty Berger*
Ira Berger
Barbara Black
Bette Cohen*
Stanton Einhorn
Mark Fisch
Lenore Light
Albert Margent
Jean Schiller
Betty Glassman Sitzer*
Rebecca Weinstein
Beatrice Bernstein
Elaine Dover
Albert Fagan*
Barbara Frank
Helen Berman
Joyce Blumberg
Harry Jerome
Herman Meyer
J. Gilbert Sholin
Dr. Henry Abrams
Helen Cweibel
Estelle Gordon
Joseph Gross
Beatrice Koss
Richard Pacharz
Amy Babst
Harriet Blecher
Cantor Hirsch L. Chazin*
Harry Goldhammer
Marvin Kolsby*
Doris Luterman
Dr. Jack David Levy*
|
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.
|
MISHABERAH LIST
The current Mishaberach list is being purged for the new year. Please contact Leslie if you want to keep a name on the new list. CLICK ON THIS:LESLIE
|
|
|
|
Diane Buskirk
January 9
Kenneth Podos
January 10
Joan Ely
January 11
Barbara Hirsh
January 11
J. Robert Lieber
January 11
Kenneth Abend
January 14
Steven R. Sher
January 14
Ken Foreman
January 15
Howard Kaplan
January 15
Jean Spitzer
January 15
|
SHARE YOUR NEWS
AND PICTURES
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!!
|
|
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)
|
|
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
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
Staff:
Leslie Dinkfelt, Office Manager
Mary Beth Krieger, Staff Member
Tony DeGregorio, Custodial Staff
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
