Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island E-Letter. November 15, Kislev 5774

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1 Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island E-Letter November 15, Kislev 5774 WE WILL BE SENDING OUT MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS SOON. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE NOW RECEIVING MAIL AT YOUR WINTER ADDRESS. YOU CAN DO SO BY SENDING AN TO THIS LINK: MARCIE SHOP FOR CHANUKAH AT THE SISTERHOOD GIFT SHOP JCC EVENTS 11/15-11/22 Sunday - MAH JONGG 10:00 AM at the Center DR. MILTON BATOFF MEMORIAL SERVICE 2:00 PM at the JCC Festive Tray THIS WEEK'S FEATURED ITEM Stop by the JCC to purchase some of our special CHANUKAH items. We have a great selection of gifts: menorahs, dreydels, towel sets, bowls and trays, mugs, jewelry making kits, Jewish Museum Cubes (our answer to the Rubix cube), just to name a few. Contact Vivian Fitts or stop in at the office to purchase your special gifts for the holiday. You can also peruse the catalog on this web site: GIFT. Call Jackie Avondoglio at to place your order for a particular item(s). There is a wonderful assortments of mezuzahs, menorahs and other Judaica items. Wednesday - MAH JONGG at the JCC 12:30-4:00 PM SHABBAT SHALOM

2 REMEMBER: THE FIRST NIGHT OF CHANUKAH IS NOVEMBER 27TH. In This Issue Shop for Chanukah A Torah Message from Rabbi Jay Upcoming JCC Activities Community Activities Special Chanukah Recipes Shoprite Gift Cards This Week's Events Service Schedule CANDLE LIGHTING TIME Friday, November 15, :24 PM (So. Ocean County) Please Join Us For Services FRIDAY NIGHT November 15, :30 PM SATURDAY MORNING November 16, 2013 STUDY WITH THE RABBI 10:00 AM Yahrzeits Congregation News Pre-School Program Cleaning Out Your Closet? TD Affinity Program TORAH READING: Parshat: Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4-36:43) HAFTORAH: Obadiah 1:1-1:21 IRA Donations Pavers Tree of Life Documents & Links A TORAH MESSAGE FROM RABBI While we don't have regular Saturday morning services until next May, Rabbi Jay will be at the JCC each Saturday at 10:00 am. At that time, he will be conducting a study class for anyone who attends, with topics ranging from the Torah portion of the week, to the liturgy, to theology. Additionally, the Rabbi will gladly

3 JAY PARSHAT VAYISHLACH Jacob is alone and scared. He has a community of wives, concubines, children, servants, and livestock, all relying on him. His brother whom he tricked and cheated some 25 years earlier is heading in the direction of this community. Those many years ago, the last words of his brother were that he would kill Jacob. This is of great concern to Jacob given the fact that his brother is a hunter and warrior who has 400 men with him. Not an enviable position to be sure. What to do? What to do?! Initially, Jacob makes a smart tactical move. He splits his community into two camps. This way, if Esau comes upon one camp, the other camp can run away while the first camp is being pillaged. In a novel, the author would now have paragraph after paragraph of exposition depicting Jacob spending time preparing for the upcoming onslaught. In the movies there would be a montage of him setting elaborate traps and preparing his meager forces. But this is not a novel, nor is it a movie. It is Torah and Torah's primary objective is not just to tell a story, but to teach a lesson as well. Thus, Jacob's next move is interesting. The Patriarch prays. The Prayer is brilliant. Jacob begins by reminding G-d that Jacob is the progeny of Abraham and Isaac. Why begin here? Because, G-d made many promises to Abraham and Isaac. The crux of these covenants was that the patriarchs would be the fathers of a long line of descendants. Reminding our just and righteous G-d of these promises is not a bad place to start. Indeed, if you take a look at our central prayer, the Amidah, which we recite during each prayer service, it begins essentially the same way. But Jacob takes his prayer one step further. He thanks G- accommodate requests for specific topics. Everyone is invited to join the learning! Please help us create a special atmosphere by not using electronic devices (phones, cameras, games etc) in or around the synagogue on Saturday and Holidays. YAHRZEITS FOR NEXT WEEK These names will be read at services on November 15, Henry Berman Sylvia Gussin Rae Konner Neal Chilton *Rabbi Jacob Friedman Miriam Levine Milton Luxemburg Charlotte Frank Jeanette Kaufman Hy Zimmer Abraham Weissler *Lillian W. Pacharz *Pauline Kolsby Bertha Simandl * Yahrzeit Plaque NEW YAHRZEIT PANELS We will shortly order additional

4 d for all God has specifically done for Jacob up until this point. He acknowledges that, but for G-d's intervention, Jacob would never have amassed so much wealth. But next comes the kicker. Jacob reminds G-d of the promise He made to Jacob that the patriarch would have "offspring as the sands of the sea which are too numerous to count." The implication is that the Deity, as creator of heaven and earth and as an ethical and Righteous G-d, needs to keep His promises. The only way to do so, and thus to prove G-d's bona fides, would be to keep Jacob and his people alive. Talk about backing the Deity into a corner. The prayer is apparently successful as Esau does not seek to destroy Jacob. Indeed, their meeting is friendly, if a bit cautious. The reason that I have reviewed the above scenario is not merely to regale you with my extraordinary prose. I mentioned earlier that Torah seeks to teach lessons. Here, among other things, the Text teaches us that G-d is available and seeks connection with us. One way to connect is through prayer. Dear reader, I humbly ask you to ponder a few questions. Have you ever prayed to G-d? When have you prayed to G-d? What have you sought in your prayer? Have you felt that your prayers have been answered? Shabbat Shalom - Rabbi Michael S. Jay Yahrzeit Board sections to accommodate more names. We plan to get 5 additional Sections or Panels. Each has room for 20 individual Yahrzeit plaques. Sponsorship of 2 or 3 sections is available at a cost of $3,000 per panel. The permanent plaque headings on each sponsored panel will include the names of the sponsors and who they are donated in memory of. If interested, please contact the Office. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. You will then be contacted to determine the exact wording on the panel heading CONGREGATION NEWS UPCOMING JCC OF LBI ACTIVITIES CONDOLENCES TO Marsha Nelson on the passing of her husband Dr. Mortimer Nelson this morning (11/14) Funeral details to follow MAH JONGG Wed. 12:30-4:00 PM Winter Mah jongg on Sundays (once a month) for those Assaf & Nicole Langer on the birth of their son Jamey Aaron

5 who are not available during the week: Sunday, November 17th at 10 am at the JCC. Contact Karen Schwing if you can play by clicking on this link KAREN Mazel tov to little sister Lilly and grandmother Linda Paley JENNIFER ASHLEY TEPPER niece of Carl & Elyse Tepper on the publishing of her book "Untold Stories of Broadway" Volume I CHANUKAH PARTY Saturday, December 7 AT 5:30 PM at the JCC Social Hall Bring your menorah, a small gift for an exchange and enjoy a Chanukah dinner together. $10.00 per adult, $5.00 per child. Please notify the office if you will be attending by November 30. COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES SHARE YOUR NEWS CONTACT: rvalen1963@aol.com MISHABERAH LIST The Mishaberach list of those who are in need of prayers of healing will be purged at the end of December. Please contact the office to put a name/names on the new list which, beginning January 3rd, is read each week: GEOTRAIL This beautiful coin is yours if you finish the LBI GeoTrail course this weekend, Nov See this flyer for details. GEOTRAIL CARING COMMITTEE KLEZMER On Thursday, November 21 the Greg Wall Klezmerfest will be performing "Wall-To-Wall Klezmer" at three branches of the Ocean County Library: This committee acts as a support system for congregation members facing illness and other personal situations that need to be addressed. Please contact Chairperson, Joy Kern, if you are in need of assistance or if you know of

6 12:00 noon at the Little Egg Harbor Branch at 290 Mathistown Road in Little Egg Harbor Township. Please register for this performance by calling or online at the Ocean County Library website: LIBRARY BLENDING THANKSGIVING & CHANUKAH a JCC member that needs our help NEW PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM POTATO LATKES WITH CRANBERRY APPLESAUCE Makes latkes INGREDIENTS 2 ½ cups diced* onions, divided 1 large egg 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 2 pounds Russet potatoes Vegetable oil (for frying) Sour cream (garnish) Cranberry Applesauce(garnish) *To dice means to chop into roughly ¼-inch cubes. Special Equipment Food processor with grating attachment Deep-fry thermometer PREPARATION Line a colander with a smooth kitchen towel or cheesecloth. In a large mixing bowl, combine half of the diced onion (1 ¼ cups), egg, flour, salt, and baking powder, and mix with a rubber spatula just to combine. Peel potatoes and cut into 1-inch cubes, working quickly so that the potatoes don't brown. Using the grater attachment of a food processor, grate potatoes and remaining 1 ¼ cup diced onion. Pour the potato-onion mixture out into the towel or cheesecloth set over the colander, wrap the towel around the mixture, and wring NEW PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM ON SUNDAYS Sunday morning - 10:00 AM "Come & See with Mrs. B". Long time teacher at the JCC of LBI, Lynn Berkowitz (Mrs. B), will help your children & grandchildren explore their Jewish roots through arts & crafts, games, songs, dancing and cooking. For further information call or lovelynn1@optonline.net PLE ASE PASS THE WORD TO NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS. Click on this link for the Program Flyer PRE- SCHOOL CLEANING OUT YOUR CLOSET? Donate your old Bling (earrings, necklaces, etc.) and gently used handbags to the JCC collection boxes located near the kitchen.

7 out as much liquid as possible. The potatoes should release at least 1 cup of liquid. Discard liquid. Add dry potato mixture to the egg/flour mixture, making sure to scrape all potato starch off of the towel and into the mixing bowl. Stir until batter is combined and sticky. Preheat oven to 425 F. Set a wire racks inside a baking sheet and place it on the counter next to your stovetop. Heat ½ cup vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Oil should be hot but not smoking, about 375 F. For each latke, take about ¼ cup of batter and flatten it in your palms to about a 2-inch disk. As you do this, squeeze out excess liquid, then place the disk into the oil with a heatproof spatula. Cook latkes about 4 minutes each side, until golden brown. Cook in batches of 4-5 latkes. Between batches, use a slotted spoon to strain any leftover bits of potato mixture out of the oil. Add more oil as needed, making sure to let the oil reheat before dropping the next potato mixture in. Transfer fried latkes to the baking rack, and place in the oven for about 8 minutes, until crispy and deep brown. Garnish with sour cream and cranberry applesauce CRANBERRY APPLESAUCE Serves INGREDIENTS 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg ¼ cup sugar ½ cup Manischewitz Concord Grape wine 4 large Granny Smith apples PREPARATION In a medium sauce pot, combine cranberries, spices, sugar, and Manischewitz. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Peel and core apples, then cut them into large chunks (approximately ½-inch cubes), and add to the cranberry mixture. Cover sauce and continue to simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. If sauce begins to stick, add water. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature before serving Thank you to Jackie Avondoglio for letting us know about TD AFFINITY PROGRAM BREAKING NEWS! Easy money! Do you have an account with TD Bank? You can contribute to the JCC without it costing you a cent. TD Bank will pay us on the number of accounts in our TD Affinity Club. There is no minimum number of members. We automatically receive $10 for every checking account and.01% of the balance on Savings Accounts. In addition we receive $50 for any new accounts. This is strictly confidential and the JCC does not know the amount in any of the accounts. In simple language, at the end of the year we will receive a check from TD Bank for $250 for the 25 accounts that are in our Affinity Club and the JCC hasn't spent a cent for money raising. How easy can it get!!! IRA DONATIONS During 2013 those over 70.5 years of age may make tax free donations to a charity from their IRA. This tax break expires in December. Please consider making a gift to the JCC of

8 the Thanksgiving/Chanukah menu created by BuzzFeed. We will be included more from their selections in future s. SHOPRITE GIFT CARDS Shoprite gift cards are available at the office. Use them to buy your groceries and the JCC of LBI will receive a portion the purchase. A GREAT GIFT IDEA. JCC INFORMATION LBI " For a few more months you can make a direct transfer of up to $100,000 from your IRA to a charity. To qualify for this tax break which expires Dec. 31, you must be 70 1/2 or older. You won't get a charitable deduction, but the withdrawal can serve as your required minimum distribution. The money will also escape income tax and won't count toward your adjusted gross income."...money Magazine, October 2013 BRICK PAVERS THE OFFICE IS LOCATED AT 2411 Long Beach Boulevard (24th Street) Spray Beach, NJ ENTER THE BUILDING DURING OFFICE HOURS THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR. Mailing Address: 2411 Long Beach Blvd. Spray Beach, NJ Telephone: FAX: jccoflbi@gmail.com The paver fund raising program is ongoing. Pavers will be installed two times a year: spring and fall. To download the paver order form, click on this link: PAVERS. Proceeds of this program will go towards the "burning of our mortgage." JCC OF LBI TREE OF LIFE web site:

9 OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM WEDNESDAY 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM THURSDAY 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM FRIDAY - 9:00 am - 2:00 PM Office Staff: M/W/T: Leslie Dinkfelt F: Jeri Riffle Data Entry: Marcie Deutsch We are so excited by the response to our beautiful new Tree of Life. You can commemorate a special occasion, honor or remember a loved one with a leaf on our new tree. There are three donation opportunities: Gold leaf (10 times chai) $180 Silver leaf (7 times chai) $126 Bronze leaf (5 times chai) $90 Leslie, Jeri & Marcie Click on this link to see the Tree of Life Form: TREE Please drop this form off at the Office or mail to JCC of LBI, 2411 Long Beach Blvd. Spray Beach NJ along with your check. CONTACT INFORMATION: Rabbi Michael S. Jay mjayrab@gmail.com Don Pripstein, JCC President djprip@gmail.com DOCUMENTS AND LINKS JUST CLICK AND YOU'RE THERE!!! NOV - JAN BULLETIN: BULLETIN WEB SITE: JCC WEB SITE

10 Judy Smith, JCC VP VIEW THE NOV-JAN BULLETIN with this link BULLETIN Editor: Rose Valentine rvalen PAVERS PAVERS TREE OF LIFE TREE SISTERHOOD GIFT SHOP CATALOG GIFT JEWISH JOURNAL: JOURNAL "Like" Us on Facebook: Search for Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island and make sure the JCC of LBI: The Place to Be icon shown above shows up or click on this link FACEBOOK or cut and paste: Center-of-Long-Beach-Island/ ?ref=br_tf