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JEWISH COMMUNITY
CENTER OF
LONG BEACH ISLAND
E-LETTER
January 19, 2024
9 Shevet 5784
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DUE TO WEATHER FORECAST SHABBAT SERVICES
THIS WEEKEND ARE ON ZOOM ONLY.
CHOLENTFEST MOVED TO NEXT WEEK.
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FOR THE BEST VIEWING OF THE SHABBAT REMINDER,
CLICK HERE
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Parashat Bo brings us the final three plagues: locusts, darkness, and the slaying of the first-born. It also features the splitting of the Sea of Reeds and the departure of the Israelites from Egypt. This year, probably because of the surge in anti-Semitic incidents across the globe, I have been struck by one subtext of the Exodus story.
Near the beginning of the book of Exodus we are told that there is a new Pharaoh in Egypt, who did not know Joseph. (The first question to be raised is how can it be that a Pharaoh, or any other Egyptian for that matter, could fail to remember the person who saved the country from disaster?) Not only did this new Pharaoh forget about Joseph, he then posited that the Israelites, who had been invited by his forbearers to stay in Egypt, had become too numerous and possibly dangerous.
After having conjured an issue where none seemed to have previously existed, Pharaoh was determined to solve the fictional “problem” of too many Israelites. If Pharaoh’s concern had been honest and pure, common sense dictates that he could have asked (or demanded) the Israelites to leave Egypt. Pharaoh, however, does not take a benign approach. Instead, he wickedly decides to burden the Israelites with work, ultimately making them slaves. This plan, however, did not work. Indeed, when Pharaoh’s enslavement plan failed to reduce the Israelite population, Pharaoh decided to kill the Israelites off.
The decisions Pharaoh made, and the actions he took, hint at something more than merely a fear of the Israelites. The story is actually indicative of a strong underlying hatred. The genesis of this hatred is not revealed.
The Text actually bolsters the irrational hatred conclusion. Ultimately, Moses approaches Pharaoh and asks him to let the Israelites go. If fear of the Israelites’ large numbers was truly the motivating factor for treating them harshly, then the offer to take the people away should have pleased Pharaoh. As we know, Pharaoh refused Moses’ request. I surmise that the reason for this refusal was that it was not the number of Israelites that bothered Pharaoh; rather it is the fact that there were any Israelites at all. For some reason, the mere existence of Israelites angered Pharaoh.
Unfortunately, this irrational hatred did not end with Pharaoh. Just as it gave the Egyptians license to do as they pleased to the Israelites of old, it gives license to people today to randomly and viciously attack Jews. From the Egyptians to the Philistines to the Assyrians to the Babylonians to the Greeks to the Romans to the Byzantines, to the Crusaders, to the Nazis, to Hamas to people marching in the streets against Israel, it is not “what” the Jews have done that causes evil people to do heinous things. Rather, people do these things simply because the victims are Jewish. Any other reason given is simply an excuse to hide the underlying hate.
Our ancestors were freed from Egypt, but their descendants have not been spared the agony of future “Egypts”. We should use this Shabbat, in which we relive our emancipation, as a time to begin to give serious thought to how we might combat the inexplicable hatred of our people.
Bari Weiss, in her book: How to Fight Anti-Semitism writes that “…the only response [to a moment of increased anti-Semitism] is to practice a Judaism of affirmation, not a Judaism of defensiveness.”
Do Jewish, live Jewish, and don’t forget to tell the story of our people.
Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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SHABBAT SHALOM
Shabbat Candle
Lighting time
Friday evening
January 19, 2024
4:41 PM
JOIN US FOR SERVICES
Friday, January 19, 2024
SERVICES
6:30 PM
ON ZOOM ONLY
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Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
FRIDAY NIGHT
Saturday,
January 20, 2024
9:00 AM
ON ZOOM ONLY
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
SHABBAT
TORAH READING
Parashat Bo
Exodus 10:1-13:16
Here is the Parshah
Bo (“Come”) recounts the last three plagues that God inflicts on the Egyptians: locusts, darkness, and death of firstborns. God commands the Israelites to offer a Passover lamb sacrifice. After the last plague, Pharaoh and the Egyptians demand that the Israelites leave.
HAFTORAH
Jeremiah 46:13-28
Here is the Haftorah
HAVDALLAH
5:00 PM
ON ZOOM ONLY
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
HAVDALLAH
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Sunday - Thursday
Ma'ariv Service
7:30 PM
Here is your invitation from Rabbi Jay to
join Zoom services:
MA'ARIV
Monday- Friday
Shacharit Service
8:15 AM
Sunday at 9:00 AM
Here is your invitation from Rabbi Jay to
join Zoom services:
SHACHARIT
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RABBI'S MONDAY CLASS RECONVENES ON JANUARY 22 | |
Starting next Monday, January 22nd at 10:00 AM, our class will reconvene. Because our world has been so enormously devastated in so many ways since October 7th, I have decided that we should study one of Judaim's (hidden) core values, "Hope". We will be using Dr. David Arnow's book, "Choosing Hope". I am attaching the Introduction to this email. As always, inasmuch as the author worked hard to produce a good text, I would prefer that you buy the book. (The book is not inexpensive, so if you need help with the purchase, just let me know.)
Rabbi Jay mjayrab@gmail.com
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Here is your homework assignment for the first class:
Write a short definition of "Hope".
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Throughout our history, Jews have traditionally responded to our trials with hope. One reason, according to Dr. Arnow, is that our tradition has an abundant reservoir of hope. In 9 chapters we will look at:
Teshuvah - the method to fulfill our hope to become better human beings.
Tikkun Olam - the hope that we can repair the world by working together.
Abraham and Sarah - models of persisting in hope amid trials.
Exodus - the archetype of redemptive hope.
Covenant - the hope for a durable relationship with the Holy One.
Job - the "hard-fought hope" that brings a grief-stricken man back to life.
World to Come - the sustaining hope that death is not the end.
Israel - high-hope activists work to build a just and inclusive society for all Israelis.
Jewish Humor - "hope's last weapon" in our darkest days.
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LEARN HEBREW WITH IRA
Ira Morgenthal is beginning a new Beginners Hebrew Class. He has one student signed up and is look for one more (or even more) person who would like to learn how to read Hebrew. Give him a call if you are interested. 908-705-2576
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Great to see so many folks participating in the WAX Book Review of Bari Weiss' book "How to Fight Anti-Semitism". Thank you Rabbi Jay for leading the discussion. | |
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THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES
SUNDAY, JANUARY 21
Pickleball
10:00 AM
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MONDAY, JANUARY 22
"Chosing Hope"
A NEW class with Rabbi Jay
10:00 AM
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 23
Pickleball
3:00 PM
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24
Canasta & Mah Jongg
12:30 PM
Rabbi's Class
"The Case for Israel"
7:30 PM following minyan
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 25
Pickleball
10:00 AM
Torah Study with the Rabbi
11:00 AM
Intermediate Hebrew with Ira
2:00 PM
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FRIDAY JANUARY 26
Studying the Prophets
9:00 AM
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PICKLEBALL
SUNDAY 10:00 AM
TUESDAY 3:00 PM
THURSDAY 10:00 AM
Reminder: Pickleball for members only!
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MAH JONGG & CANASTA
WEDNESDAYS
12:30 PM TO 4:00 PM
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LET'S TALK MOVIES WITH ROSE
Tuesday, February 6th
10:00 AM
Last week I saw two movies that I was dying to discuss with someone. Who better to do that with than our JCC family!!!!
The two movies I chose to discuss are: "Someplace in Queens" and
"May December"
They both deal with relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children. "Someplace in Queens" stars Ray Romano who tries to live his seemingly sad life through his son. It is streaming on Hulu and can be rented on Prime Video (worth the $5.99). On Netflix you can view "May December", a film about a married couple facing pressure when an actress comes to do research for a film about their past and starring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore.
Please see both films and we will get together on Zoom to unpack it all.
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Cholentfest
Saturday, January 27
11:30 AM
following services
PJP “Stories from Curacao’s Jewish History”
Sunday, January 28
1:00 PM
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Learn Signing
Fridays February 2 & 16
10:00 AM
Shabbat Dinner
Friday, February 2
6:30 PM
Let's Talk Movies with Rose
Tuesday, February 6
10:00 AM
PJP Program
"Ideas of God in Jewish Mysticism”
Thursday, February 8
8:30 PM
Pottery Class at the Foundation
Thursday, February 15
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Jewish Hollywood Series
"Those Were the Days"
Thursday, February 22
8:30 PM
WAX Bunch at LBI Table
Friday, February 23
11:00 AM
PJP Program
“Jewish Portugal”
Sunday, February 25
1:00 PM
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Please join us on Friday February 2 at 6:30 PM
for our monthly Shabbat Family dinner followed by services.
We are planning a home cooked menu (but cooked at the JCC).
Please please please RSVP to the JCC Office 609-492-4090
so we know how many are joining.
$25 per adult/$10 per child 13 and under.
Your hosts
Suzy & Jon Geier
Joyce & Paul Levine
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CERAMIC WORKSHOP AT THE LBI FOUNDATION FOR ARTS AND SCIENCES
FOR JCC MEMBERS ONLY!
Participants will create a ceramic vase to be glazed and fired at the Foundation.
Thursday, February 15
10 AM - 1 PM
$45 per person plus $20 for the cost of materials.
Max 10 people per this class.
REGISTER WITH YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE AND EMAIL ALONG WITH A CHECK FOR $65 BY FEBRUARY 9 TO:
Daniella Kerner, Executive Director
The Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences
120 Long Beach Blvd., Loveladies, NJ 08008
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT JILL DENKER AT 973-214-2767
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LEARN SIGNING WITH
ANTHONY DEFRANCO
at the JCC
FRIDAYS
10:00 AM - 11:AM
*beginning February 2,
February 16, March1, March 15
Another program brought to you by the JCC Women's Auxiliary
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Thanks to our membership in the PJP we are able to enjoy a variety of programs. Here are the new programming lists. No need to register in advance. | |
PJP Series "What Jews Think”
2023-2024
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Thursday, February 8 @8:30 PM
Dr. Eugene Sheppard, Brandeis University “Ideas of God in Jewish Mysticism”
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PJP Travel Programs
2023-2024
Sunday, January 28 @ 1:00 PM “Stories from Curacao’s Jewish History” with Ron Gomes Casseres
This presentation will include both historical and current stories about the Curaçao Jewish community and practices. Curaçao will also be introduced for those who may not be familiar with my home country. There will be several photographs to show aspects of Curaçao, the synagogue and Jewish heritage sites. Ronald Gomes Casseres descends from Sephardic Jews who came to Curaçao in 1690. He was born on the Dutch Caribbean island where he is a leader of the historic Mikvé Israel-Emanuel community. Now retired from a long commercial banking career, one of his interests is the history of his Jewish community and its practices and has published on this in local and international media. He has been active in numerous organizations and institutions in Curaçao. He was awarded a Royal decoration by the Kingdom of the Netherlands for social and cultural contributions to the Curaçao community.
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Join us for our 2nd 3-Part Series on Jewish Hollywood
Those Were the Days - Feb 22, 2024 - 8:30 PM
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The following names will be read by the Rabbi on Friday evening:
Edith Konner
Mina Rosenbaum
Joseph Rudnick*
Diane Rudoff
Mollie Segal
Robert Fischer
Sarah Ganek
Hannah Moses*
Max Rosenbaum
Laura Barsh
Thelma Brusilow
Harvey Light
Al Black
Richard Gilbert
Hyman Goldstein
Raya Koller
Melvin Margolis
Linda Zelin
Barnet Bookman*
Marvin Hammer
Benjamin Reiser*
Dave Tarlow
Charles Bloom
Jacob Konner
Lucy Lief
Rabbi Pinchos Chazin
Robert Greenbaum
George Patmas
Jay Solan
Janet Stern
Estelle Stokes
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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Jeffrey Miller
January 20
Rona Stein
January 20
Norman Chevlin
January 21
Dean Adler
January 23
Denni Koupf
January 23
Herbert Zemble
January 24
Eileen L. Rosen
January 25
Sheryl Rothman
January 25
Evelyn Stern
January 25
Barry Sussman
January 25
Robert VanNaarden
January 26
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Aaron & Anne Karp
January 22
13th Anniversary
Richard & Jill Berson
January 24
53rd Anniversary
Ronald & Diane Buskirk
January 24
48th Anniversary
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SHARE YOUR NEWS
AND PICTURES
CONTACT:
rvalen1963@aol.com
| MEET THE SOUP TROOP: Noralyn Carroll, Irene Babst and new member Robin Genna. They made soup in the JCC kitchen to be given to our members who are not feeling well. Contact Irene or Noralyn if you or if you know of a member who needs some Jewish penicillin. Local delivery only! | | |
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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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YOU CAN NOW FILL OUT A GIVING FORM AND PAY ON LINE IN ONE SIMPLE PROCESS.
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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:
PAVER 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:
dihoff1@aol.com
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 z"l 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:
YAHRZEIT
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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2023 MEMBERSHIP FORMS
Your support is so important to the continued success of the JCC.
Here is form for renewal:
RENEW NOW
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:
JOIN NOW
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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.
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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
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Jon Geier
Paul Levine
Ken Podos
Terri Robinovitz
David Shatz
Bonni Rubin-Sugarman
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
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