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JEWISH COMMUNITY
CENTER OF
LONG BEACH ISLAND
E-LETTER
August 18, 2023
1 Elul 5783
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THE JCC OF LBI IS A PLACE
OF PRAYER & LEARNING
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Like a prize fighter who needs a knockout to win in the final round of a bout, Psalm 150 comes out swinging. It is short, but powerful. I mentioned in an earlier Shabbat message that these final Psalms, 145-150, are like the final movement in a symphony. Following this analogy, Psalm 150 works feverishly toward a crescendo, and ends with a straightforward message.
When you look at this final Psalm, you will see that it repeats “hallelujah” 12 times. Would anyone care to posit a reason why the Psalmist chose this number?
The crescendo is heightened with the addition of new instruments in each successive line. God is praised with Shofar, harp, lyre, drums, flute, strings, and cymbals (two types). In addition to music, there is apparently dancing.
The music and the praise, builds and builds and builds until, finally, it reaches the end where the poet gives us the final, and overriding, message: “May every breath praise God. Halleluyah!” Everyone should be praising God for the good that God does and has done.
There is an additional beauty and meaning to this ending. If you look at the beginning of the Torah, when God creates humanity, you will see that God “breathes” life into the first human. Here, humans breathe life back to God. It is poetic, brilliant, and moving. The God/human relationship is important to both God and humanity. Each breathes “life” to the other.
In a literary sense, Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, writes that this final Psalm summarizes the theme of Psalms 145-150, which is that all must praise God. Therein he says:
This final Psalm neatly provides the details of this praise, noting why God should be praised ([God] is powerful), where [God] must be praised (in the heavenly and earthly temples), how [God] must be praised (with various instruments), and who must praise [God] (all that breathe)….
(Traditional Prayers, Modern Commentaries, Vol. 3, P’sukei D’Zimrah, footnote 11, Page 144).
Click here to see Psalm 150 in its entirety: https://www.sefaria.org/Psalms.150?lang=bi
In Jewish calendar news, the month of Elul begins, tomorrow, Friday (8/18). This begins the true countdown to RH and YK. Get ready to do some personal reflection and think about the people to whom you need to say: “I’m sorry”. If you want to hear the shofar, join us for morning services at 8:15. The Shofar will be blown every morning, near the end of the service, for the next month.
In learning news, join us on Mondays at 10:00 AM, on Zoom, for a High Holy Day preparation class. We are using a book entitled: “On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World”, written by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg.
Look for a separate Elul message sometime next week!
Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE STUDENT TO HELP WITH THE CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS ON THE HIGH HOLIDAYS.
CONTACT TERI ROBINOVITZ
IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE IN GRANT WRITING WE NEEED YOUR EXPERTISE.
CONTACT THE JCC OFFICE 609-492-4090
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Candle Lighting time
Friday evening
August 18, 2023
7:30 pm
(So. Ocean County)
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JOIN US FOR
DINNER &
SERVICES
ROSH CHODESH ELUL
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DINNER 6:00 PM
Guest Speaker
Dimas Guoaco from
StandWith Us
SERVICE 7:30 PM
with Cantor Geller
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Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
FRIDAY NIGHT
Saturday Morning
August 19, 2023
9:00 AM
Services
IN PERSON AND ON ZOOM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to join
Zoom services
SHABBAT MORNING
TORAH READING
Parashat Shoftim
Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9
Here is the Parshah
PARSHAH
Shoftim (“Judges”) discusses guidelines of leadership, opening with a command to appoint judges and continuing to detail laws of kings, priests, and prophets. It also describes laws relating to cities of refuge for accidental killers, false witnesses, warfare, and the rite performed in a case of unsolved murder.
HAFTORAH
Isaiah 51:12-52:12
Here is the Haftorah
HAFTORAH
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HAVDALLAH
Saturday evening
8:30 PM
Here is your invitation from Rabbi Jay to
join Zoom services:
HAVDALLAH
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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THE HIGH HOLIDAYS ARE JUST FOUR WEEKS AWAY
ROSH HASHANAH I September 16
ROSH HASHANAH II - September 17
YOM KIPPUR - September 25
JCC members and guests who attended services last year should have received their packet for High Holiday seats. We hope you will consider joining us for all or some of the holiday services. You can also request seats as well as provide your information about the Book of Remembrance and High Holiday Greetings on our web site. Easy payment is included on the site. CLICK HERE FOR HIGH HOLIDAY SEATS
Please note that this year all seats include a Zoom link component. Zoom is not being sold separately. Also we are again offering a children's program on Rosh Hashanah I and II and Yom Kippur with member Terri Robinovitz. Terri is looking for a teen helper. Please reach out to her at terirob@aol.com
A special program is planned for Selichiot, September 9th. Dr. Fred Katz will take us on a "Road to Remembrance" as we view Holocaust Memorials throughout the world.
We look forward to a wonderful holiday here at the JCC of LBI.
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RABBI'S CLASS:
Preparing for the High Holidays
This year we are going to do our Holiday preparation work using a book written by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg entitled: On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World.
American culture focuses on letting go of grudges and redemption narratives, instead of on the perpetrator's obligations or recompense for harmed parties. Rabbi Ruttenberg teaches that, in our tradition, there is a better model, rooted in the work of the medieval philosopher Maimonides.
For Maimonides, forgiveness is much less important than the repair work to which the person who caused harm is obligated. Teshuva, traditionally translated as repentance, really means something more like return, and in this book, returning is a restoration, as much as is possible, to the victim, and, for the perpetrator of harm, a coming back, in humility and intentionality, to behaving as the person we might like to believe we are.
Studying, On Repentance and Repair, will help us to use Maimonides' 5-step approach in our personal lives and to, perhaps, help solve larger societal issues.
Join me on Mondays at 10:00 AM and together we can try to make this coming High Holy Day season one of truer "repentance and repair".
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What a special experience to meet and chat with author Lori Banov Kaufmann of this month's WAX book "Rebel Daughter". Her novel, which she researched for 10 years, looks in depth into the history of our people during the time of the First Temple. There was much discussion Wednesday about the internal conflict in Israel today and how it compares to that ancient time. FASCINATING. We are so lucky to have the opportunity to learn and expand our world here at the JCC. Thank you to Sheri Jay for leading the group and making the arrangements for Lori to visit with us from Ra'anana, Israel.
The book is also available on audible.
We are excited for her to write her next book and thank her so much for attending.
All she asked in return is that we review her book if we liked it. (all of us seemed to!) So if you decide to read it and like it, please leave her a good review on Amazon or Goodreads. The review does not have to be long but just doing it will help her.
Here is a link to review it on Amazon
Here are some recipes inspired by Rebel Daughter
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THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES
SUNDAY, August 20
NO Pickleball
Wendy & Rik Concert and Israeli Dinner
6:45 PM
MONDAY, August 21
Rabbi's Class
10:00 AM
Rosh Chodesh Program
7:30 PM
TUESDAY, August 22
Active Shooter Program
9:30 AM
Pickleball
3:00 PM Beginners Session
4:00 PM Regular Play
WEDNESDAY, August 23
Fitness Class
10:00 AM
Canasta & Mah Jongg
12:30 PM
THURSDAY, August 24
Pickleball
10:00 AM
Torah Study with the Rabbi
11:00 AM
INTERMEDIATE HEBREW CLASS WITH IRA
2:00 PM
Contact Ira for more information
inaira213@gmail.com
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August 15, 23
Dance Fitness Class
August 18
Shabbat Dinner
Speaker from StandWithUs
August 20
Wendy & Rik Concert
August 21
Rosh Chodesh Women's Group
August 22
Active Shooters Training
August 25
Shabbat on the Beach
(Spray Beach)
August 27
WAX Membership Brunch
Speaker: Dr. Phyllis Cohen
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THE JCC OF LBI IS A PLACE
FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES:
EXCERCISE - GAMES - SPORT
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NIA (NON-IMPACT AEROBIC CLASS
with Lisa Abramson
LAST CLASS August 23
10:00 - 11:00 PM
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MAH JONGG & CANASTA
WEDNESDAYS
12:30 TO 4:00 PM
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PICKLEBALL
NO PICKLEBALL SUNDAY 8/20
TUESDAY 4:00 PM
THURSDAY 10:00 AM
GREAT NEWS.....
Starting Tuesday August 22 Pickleball will start at 3:00 and we invite people who have never played and want to learn to play, or people who want to practice and improve their serve or net play, to attend at that time. We will still play from 4-6.
Reminder: Pickleball for members only!
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THE JCC OF LBI IS A PLACE
WITH PROGRAMS FOR EVERYONE
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JCC WOMEN’S AUXILIARY: BOOK GROUP DISCUSSION
WEDNESDAYS AT 4:00 PM
NO DISCUSSION PLANNED FOR SEPTEMBER
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Sunday, August 20, 2023
Dinner - 6:45 PM
Show - 7:45 PM
Wendy & Rik are talented, entertaining and funny in a musical performance that showcases their beautiful voices, harmonies, choreography, lively banter and audience interaction. This married couple is reminiscent of the great duos like Louis Prima and Keely Smith or Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme. Their vast repertoire includes hits from the Great American Song Book, Broadway as well as Jewish music in English, Hebrew and Yiddish
Israeli Dinner -$40 per person
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If you would like to order a paver for this 2023 installation, please fill out the form ( click below ) and return it to the JCC office with payment. | |
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THE JCC OF LBI IS A PLACE
FOR COMMUNITY
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The following names will be read by the Rabbi on Friday evening:
Robert Goldman*
Molla Plon
Stanley Schlossman
Alfonso Soto
Brenda Ruth Klein
Miriam Levitt
Ike Saul Shapiro
Sarah Finkel
Peter Friedman*
Leslie Levine
David Cramer
Alan Glass
Leonard Piscetelli
Shirley Pollack
Gertrude Sanders
Louis Abromovitz
Harold Cohn
Abraham Frank
George Katz
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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Warren K. Racusin
August 19
Ilene Greenbaum
August 25
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Hugh & Hedda Chairnoff
August 19
61st Anniversary
Alan & Robin Kanis
August 20
51st Anniversary
Jay Leistner & Marcia Halpern
August 20
45th Anniversary
Fred & Jodi Rothman
August 20
40th Anniversary
Mark Tilbor & Jacqueline Margolis
August 21
22nd Anniversary
Richard & Eileen Feldgus
August 23
59th Anniversary
Joel & Barbara Werbel
August 24
55th Anniversary
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SHARE YOUR NEWS
AND PICTURES
CONTACT:
rvalen1963@aol.com
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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:
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
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
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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:
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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
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
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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
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
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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
Graphics by
Irene Babst
Contributing Columnist
Sheila Weisel
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