Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island E-Letter May 1, Iyar /1-5/8 SHABBAT SHALOM

Transcription

1 Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island E-Letter May 1, Iyar 5775 INTERFAITH SERVICE 5/1-5/8 Wed. Mah Jongg 12:30-4:00 PM SHABBAT SHALOM ANNUAL INTERFAITH SERVICE Friday, May 8 7:30 PM Guest sermon to be delivered by Rev. Reverend Chaplain James Occhipinti, Director of the Pastoral Care Department of SOMC and an Ocean County Police Chaplain. The Island Singers will perform. Candle Lighting Time Friday May 1, :32 PM (So. Ocean County NJ)

2 Special Oneg Shabbat prepared by the Sisterhood of the JCC of LBI PLEASE JOIN US AND INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS TO THIS SPECIAL SERVICE Contents Interfaith Service A Message from the Rabbi The Week that Was... Upcoming JCC Activities B'nai Mitzvah Project Lighthouse Film Festival Special Offer Giving Opportunities PLEASE JOIN US FOR SERVICES Friday evening May 1, :30 PM Saturday morning May 2, 2015 RABBI'S TORAH STUDY 10:00 AM Torah Reading Parshat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim (Leviticus 16:1-20:27) Here is the Portion: PARSHAH Haftorah: Amos 9:7-9:15 Here is the Haftorah: HAFTORAH Name Badges This Week's Events Service Schedule Yahrzeits for Next Week Minyanim Congregation News JCC Caps & Polo Shirts Kol Hakavod SHAVUOT Please mark your calendars for Sunday morning of May 24th at 9:30 to Noon. Jenna Powitz, Andy Schwing, Sam Gottesman will confirm their faith as responsible Jews

3 Shoprite Gift Cards Celebrate a Milestone Gift Shop Documents & Links A TORAH MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI And God said to Moses, "Speak to all of the Children of Israel and say to them: You will be Holy for I, the Lord your God, am holy." It is straightforward and to the point. But if one deconstructs what God is saying, he must stand with his mouth open wide. What a humanly personal phrase this is coming from God. How can humans possibly be expected to attain a divine trait ("Holiness")? It is a charge that seems impossible to uphold but, at the same time, it is a "wow" moment. God's instruction is reminiscent of what a parent might say to a child. It is not uncommon for a parent to tell a child to "Be like me!" The "like me" often refers to things like being clean, being neat, being respectful, being punctual, being a good student, or being a doctor or a lawyer. Thus one might hear a parent say to a child, "You shall be a lawyer for I, your mother, am a lawyer." Between us parents, how often do these "commands" work? Now, if the child does not want to be a lawyer this might cause problems, but ultimately these problems get sifted out for better, or for worse. But in the Israelite/God realm, things might be just a bit trickier. How might an Israelite say to the Holy Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, "I don't want to be holy"? This might present a bit of a problem. I think that God avoided the problem by making being holy pretty and Sydney Gottesman will be Post-confirmed during Shavuot Services. The congregation is invited to join us on this milestone occasion for these special Religious School students. Please help us create a special atmosphere by not using electronic devices (phones, cameras, games etc) in or around the synagogue on Shabbat and Holidays. YAHRZEITS FOR NEXT WEEK These names will be read at services on May 1, 2015 Pearl Elefant Samuel Mendlow Pearl Buchalter Dr. Harold Feldman *Benjamin Spielberg David Epstein Philip Petchenik Edna Axilbund Jeanette Barrish Hyman Danon Elly Albu Anne Eiser Dr. Stephen Lipsky *Rebecca Gerber Louis Cohen Lillian Medvin *Eric Katz

4 simple. Essentially if you look at Parahat Kedoshim, which contains much of what our tradition calls the "Holiness Code", you will see that being holy often depends on how we treat others. Indeed, it is in this Torah portion that God says: "love your neighbor as yourself". And in this simple phrase we find the engine that drives holiness. The bulk of the holiness code contains laws that in one way or another have to do with how we treat those around us. So, how does God instruct us to be holy? How are we to treat others? How are we to "Love our neighbor as we love our self"? Let's take a look at just a few of the laws: 1) By revering our parents. 2) By not harvesting to the corners or our fields, by not picking up the gleanings of our harvest, and by leaving fallen fruit. All of this is to be left for the poor. 3) By not stealing (from another); 4) By not lying (to another); 5) By not cheating (another); 6) By paying workers right away; 7) By not cursing the deaf, and by not placing a stumbling block before the blind. 8) By judging others fairly; 9) By not taking revenge (on someone) or bearing a grudge (against another); 10) By rising before an aged person and revering a teacher; 11) By dealing honestly in business. It all seems so simple, and yet how often do we fall short? How often do we fail to be holy? Unfortunately, this week we have been given an opportunity to achieve holiness by "Loving our neighbor as ourselves". The earthquake in Nepal has killed thousands of people and left many thousands more without adequate food, water, or shelter. These are neighbors who need our help, and our love. Israel, knowing how to be holy, sent help almost immediately. How can we help? How can we perform a holy act? The link below will open to the Jewish Federations of North America's page dedicated for donations to help the people of Nepal. Part of what makes our people special is that we rarely turn away from the opportunity to help another. The individual donation need not be large; it does not take much to help to repair the world. Irene Ginsburg Rose Buznitsky Ernest Lippman Evelyn Lizzack Morris Luterman Kathleen Rifkin * Yahrzeit Plaque MINYANIM Harris Weisel, will be coordinating minyanim for those who are sitting shiva or observing a yahrzeit. Please contact the office if you would be interested in being notified if a minyan is needed and will attend when possible or click on this link for CONGREGATION NEWS TO SELMA & LARRY TROUM who have sold their home on LBI. Long time members

5 Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh. Shabbat Shalom - Rabbi Michael S. Jay of the JCC of LBI, they will be missed. We wish them only the best. Our Ocean County Jewish Federation reports that... A number of Jewish organizations are on the ground in Nepal. The Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) is actively assessing the situation and working to provide support where it is needed most. Israel sent an Israel Defense Forces delegation to conduct search and rescue operations in Nepal. It has also established a fully functioning field hospital including operating rooms, x-ray equipment and pediatric care. Chabad of Nepal has been a staple for Jewish travelers looking to connect with Judaism for years. It is participating in relief efforts on the ground. To support the efforts of these Jewish organizations in Nepal, click here to donate: NEPAL THE WEEK THAT WAS... Jewish Heritage Day at the Blue Claws Stadium in Lakewood BONNIE & JIM SHRAGER on the bat mitzvah of their granddaughter Celia Lourie BONNIE & HAROLD FARIN on the college graduation of granddaughter Dariel Farin from University of North Carolina Greensboro SHARE YOUR NEWS CONTACT: rvalen1963@aol.com CARING COMMITTEE

6 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 a JCC member that needs our help JCC CAPS & POLO SHIRTS FOR SALE MAZEL TOV to JARED SHEEHAN (3rd from the left) who was Junior Manager for the day. UPCOMING JCC ACTIVITIES MAH JONGG Wednesdays 12:30-4:00 PM Our JCC caps are here in both Carolina blue and navy. You can pick them up at the office during office hours or at any of our upcoming events. They are $15 each and we think they will be big sellers. So get yours while the supply lasts and wear them proudly! THE SUPPLY IS RUNNING LOW - ONLY A FEW NAVY ARE LEFT. FRIDAY, MAY 8 - ANNUAL INTERFAITH SERVICE 7:30 PM Guest sermon to be delivered by Rev. Reverend Chaplain James Occhipinti, Director of the Pastoral Care Department of SOCH and an Ocean County Police Chaplain. The Island Singers will perform.

7 SUNDAY MAY 31 - JERUSALEM: CITY OF JOY AND SORROW at 3:00 PM Prof. Christopher M. Bellitto of Kean University will present a program that takes us through the repeated rises and falls, twists and turns, of the city holy to three religions. This program has been made available through the Horizon Speakers Bureau of the New Jersey Council for the Humanities. See attached flyer: JERUSALEM B'NAI MITZVAH PROJECT "Putting your money where your mouth is". David and Jonathan Falkowsky wanted to collect food for the Monmouth & Ocean County Food Bank so they got two cartons and put signs on them and placed one in the foyer and one in the Social Hall of the JCC. But they wanted to do much more so the family volunteered to go once a week to the warehouse in Neptune, NJ to stock shelves and pack boxes. Both David and Jonathan have committed to volunteering for 10 hours each and that does not include the time Mom and Dad are putting in when they accompany the boys. Please help them by bring packaged food to the JCC and placing it in the boxes provided. Their B'nai Mitzvah is June 27th and then they will be leaving us to move to Tempe, Arizona. Let's send them off in a way that they will always remember the JCC of LBI with fond memories. WE ARE READY TO LAUNCH OUR NEW POLO SHIRT SALES They are a royal blue with the JCC of LBI logo and "The Place to Be" embroidered on the left front. We will have samples of all sizes in the office for you to look at. Orders will be taken on Friday mornings beginning May 8 from 10 AM - 12 NOON. Please make your order, along with your $25 for each shirt, by June 5, so we can have the shirts to give out at the Welcome Back Brunch on June 28th. KOL HAKAVOD CAMPAIGN Please consider being a part of this campaign to supplement the clergy and facility needs of our congregation. This is a separate, voluntary

8 LIGHTHOUSE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL commitment and is additional to our low annual dues obligation. HERE IS THE LINK TO BRING UP THE DONATION FORM KOL HAKAVOD SPECIAL OFFER FOR ACCESS PASSES TO THE FILM FESTIVAL. SHOPRITE GIFT CARDS WEEK ONLY MAY 4-11 THE OFFER IS AVAILABLE FOR ONE The 7th annual Lighthouse International Film Festival will be held on Long Beach Island, June 4-7, The festival brings awardwinning films, documentaries, and shorts from Sundance, Cannes, South by Southwest, and Tribeca to LBI. The Lighthouse International Film Festival would like to offer our congregants ALL ACCESS passes at a significant discount! Passes are limited, so don't delay - This SPRING SPECIAL is available for just one week only: May 4-11, An all access pass admits you to the weekend events including all film screenings, Q&A's with the filmmakers, parties and Breakfast with the Filmmakers. ALL ACCESS passes are regularly $125 for access to the entire festival. With this deal, JCC of LBI congregants may purchase passes for only $65 apiece. That's $60 off the regular price! To order your passes: 1. Go to 2. Click on BUY PASSES "enter a Password or Discount Code" Your discount code is JCCLBI. Voilà - your price is only $65 per ticket! 3. For the delivery method, choose "Print-At-Home". This is your receipt. 4. Select "Add to Cart" for payment instructions to complete your transaction. Shoprite gift cards are now available for pick up at the following three sites. Use them to buy your groceries and the JCC of LBI will receive a portion the purchase. Spray Beach JCC Office Pick up during office hours Barnegat Call Jeri Riffle Harvey Cedars Call Rona Stein CELEBRATE A MILESTONE AT THE JCC OF LBI

9 Questions? Contact GIVING OPPORTUNITIES YAHRZEIT PLAQUES Space is available for memorial plaques on the yahrzeit boards in the Sanctuary. Here is the order form: PLAQUES TREE OF LIFE (located in the Social Hall) You can purchase a leaf in honor of an occasion or in memory of a loved one. Here is the Tree of Life Form: TREE PAVERS (in front of the Front Entrance) Here is the Paver Form: PAVERS PLANT A TREE (Crepe Myrtles along the Boulevard) Call the office if you are interested in underwriting the cost of this landscaping. Contact the JCC office if you have any questions about your donation NAME BADGES If you did not order a name tag, we will be putting in another order. Here is the link for the form to order your name tag: BADGES Celebrate a special occasion at the JCC of LBI. A wedding, baby naming, renewal of vows can have special meaning our beautiful sanctuary which seats 124 people (can be opened to more seating). Your reception, special birthday or anniversary party can be accommodated in the large social hall which has a capacity for table seating for 200 and can be set up auditorium style for 280 persons. In addition there is a kosher restaurantsized kitchen, two classrooms and a library. Here is the link to view/download the following forms and information: JCC RENTAL Rental Application Rental Payment Schedule Rental Contract JCC Rules & Regulations List of Facility Fees List of Honoraria for Rabbi of the JCC of

10 LBI JCC INFORMATION 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: web site: OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM TUESDAY 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM WEDNESDAY 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM THURSDAY 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM FRIDAY - 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM For further information, please contact: Director of Events Chairperson Sherry Fruchterman: GIFT SHOP Come visit the JCC gift shop or go to GIFT SHOP and then call the JCC office for help in placing you order. DOCUMENTS AND LINKS JUST CLICK AND YOU'RE THERE!!! MAY-JUNE BULLETIN: BULLETIN WEB SITE: JCC WEB SITE PAVERS PAVERS TREE OF LIFE TREE SISTERHOOD GIFT SHOP CATALOG GIFT JEWISH JOURNAL: JOURNAL YAHRZEIT PLAQUE FORM: PLAQUE

11 Office Staff: Leslie Dinkfelt Jeri Riffle Marcie Deutsch KOL HAKAVOD DONATION FORM KOL HAKAVOD SISTERHOOD DUES DUES Leslie, Marcie & Jeri CONTACT INFORMATION: Rabbi Michael S. Jay Don Pripstein, JCC President Jeri Riffle, JCC VP

12 VIEW THE MAY - JUNE BULLETIN with this link BULLETIN Editor: Rose Valentine rvalen 1963@aol.com "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: Long-Beach-Island/ ?ref=br_tf