Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island E-Letter. August 23, Elul 5773

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1 Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island E-Letter August 23, Elul 5773 THE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER BULLETIN IS NOW AVAILABLE ON LINE. CLICK ON BULLETIN Thank you to our new Bulletin Editor, PAULA HAIT, for a wonderful job with her first issue. THE AUGUST ISSUE of the OCEAN COUNTY JEWISH JOURNAL is also on line for you to view: JOURNAL AN EVENING WITH UNCLE FLOYD JCC EVENTS 8/23-8/30 Friday - 8/23 SCHOLAR AT THE SHORE SHABBAT DINNER - 6 PM Sunday - AN EVENING WITH UNCLE FLOYD - 7 PM Many of you will remember watching the Uncle Floyd Show, which was a staple on television from Currently a headliner in Las Vegas, Reno and Atlantic City, "Uncle Floyd", Floyd Vivino, is loved by audiences of all ages for his comedy and honky-tonk piano playing. We are very excited that Uncle Floyd will be appearing at the JCC of LBI on Sunday, August 25, 2013 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $35 in advance by Friday, August 23. Tickets at the door are $40. Call Lori Shomer at , Lori at LORI, or call the JCC at to reserve your seats. Monday - ISLAND ZUMBA AM CANASTA/BRIDGE - 12:30-4 PM FINAL CLASS THIS WEEK Wednesday - MAH JONGG - 12:30-4:00 PM ZUMBA GOLD - 9-9:45 FINAL CLASS THIS WEEK SISTERHOOD BOOK DISCUSSION - 7 PM at the Center Library

2 You can purchase your ticket on the JCC website by clicking on this link: UNCLE In This Issue Uncle Floyd Message Torah from Rabbi Jay The Week That Was... August Activities Library Programs Challahs at Acme Shoprite Gift Cards Thursday - ISLAND ZUMBA AM FINAL CLASS THIS WEEK *THE SISTERHOOD BOOK DISCUSSION HAS BEEN CHANGED FROM MONDAY, AUGUST 26 TO WEDNESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 28. SHABBAT SHALOM "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." Pavers This Week's Events Service Schedule Yahrzeits High Holidays Congregation News Tree of Life Documents & Links A TORAH MESSAGE FROM RABBI MICHAEL JAY CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES Friday, August 23, :25PM (So. Ocean County) JOIN US FOR SERVICES SCHOLAR AT THE SHORE SHABBAT Friday Evening August 23, Elul 5773 Saturday morning August 24, Elul :30 AM TORAH PORTION Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy: 26:1-29:8)

3 PARSHAT KI TAVO Though I have been studying Torah for many years, each time I read a particular portion I often see something I had not noticed before. When I look at a piece of Torah today I often will not walk away from it with the same thought I had last year, nor will this year's insight be the same as next year's. The fact that this happens helps to highlight Torah's unique ability to speak in many ways to those who are reading it. Each time we open a Chumash, or unroll a scroll, we are invited into the Text as the person we are at that moment and at that point in time; it is as if the words are literally capable of morphing in meaning. This enables us to merge our continuing experiences into the way that we encounter the Torah. What a gift it is that our central Text, while having been reduced to writing thousands of years ago, is not static. Instead it continues to unfold before us like a never-ending tapestry. What I see in Parashat Ki Tavo is a conversation embedded within the Torah; a message being delivered from one section of the Torah to another. Our Parasha begins by advising that when we enter the Promised Land we are to bring our first fruits to the Kohen(as a tithe) in the place that God chooses (Jerusalem), and make a proclamation acknowledging that God has kept His promise by taking us out of Egypt and bringing us into the land of milk and honey. In and of itself this ceremony is beautiful because in its simplicity it forces us to acknowledge that the things we have, from the land we live on to the food that grows on it, is all tied to God. But there is a pretty intense and layered message we get if we connect this tithing ceremony to the second Paragraph of the Shema which we read a few weeks ago in Parashat Ekev (Deuteronomy 11: 13-21). Therein we are told that, if we keep the Commandments, God will provide rain for our crops and ensure that they will grow. But we are also told that if we fail to keep the Commandments there will be no rain and, consequently, no crops. If we combine these two pieces of Text it becomes clear that the tithing ceremony is not just acknowledging the role God Haftorah: Isaiah 60:1-60:22 ABOUT OUR SCHOLAR SUSAN WERK Susan Werk is the Educational Director of Congregation Agudath Israel of West Essex in Caldwell, New Jersey. She will be providing us with a Shabbat full of talks and education about helping to create Lifelong Learners. SILICHOT Saturday evening August 31 at 8:00 At this time of spiritual turning, as we prepare ourselves to welcome the. New Year, join us as Sharon Frieberg Hammerman speaks about "Turning Stumbling Stones into Memorial Stones, Bringing Memories Home. In this" exciting Powerpoint presentation she tells the story of her maternal Grandparents who lived in the Village of Binau in Germany. Through lobbying and perseverance, she managed to convince the local authorities to allow these special memorial stones in their honor. Sharon has told her compelling story in several venues including synagogues in the United States and in Jerusalem. It's an inspiring tale of memory and dedication. After the presentation, we will have Selichot services which will feature a talk by Rabbi Richard Hammerman, the Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation B'nai Israel in Toms River and who, this past summer, was a guest Rabbi on our Bimah. YAHRZEITS FOR THE NEXT WEEK These names will be read at services on August 23, 2013.

4 has played in our lives by bringing us out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. Rather, as we bring those first fruits we are also telling God that we have followed the Commandments because the crops have grown and they would not have grown if we had not acted appropriately. Thus the First Fruits become a focal point of the fact that both God and the Israelites have kept promises. There is beauty and meaning in what the Torah is telling us to do, but it is also showing what an incredible partnership we have. It is a partnership full of mutuality and respect. I am not certain what it is in my life that enabled me to see this connection as I read Parashat Ki Tavo. Perhaps it is a growing sense that it is impossible to do things alone; recognition that the things that I do, that any of us do, require us to partner with others. Perhaps it is the fact that our daughter went off to college last year. Her successful entry into the school of her choice, while surely her own doing, was accomplished as we sat on the sidelines lovingly coaxing and coaching her. Whatever caused me to see this message, the fact remains that the Torah is not read within a vacuum, nor does any section within it stand alone. It is, and we all are, part of the same intricately woven fabric; Divine art. Shabbat Shalom- Rabbi Michael S. Jay THE WEEK THAT WAS... It was another fantastic week at the JCC of LBI... Richard Kaplan Raymond Berman Harry Bernstein Michael Kolb Naomi Chilton Israel Segal Clara Robinson *Stephan Gubar *Henry Pacharz Solomon Opatosky Dora Price Raymond Berman Morris Shapiro William Seidler Lillian Cofsky Willy Hupert Harrie Kronenberg Paula Freedland *Beatrice Ferber Pauline Ellis Cramer *Eli Golden David Corson Charles Kaplan Belle Meisler Jimmy Kagel Jack Lang *Julia Herman * Yahrzeit Plaque Last Friday evening in Loveladies, 165 people gathered to welcome the Shabbat with a Kabbalat Service ON THE BEACH. It was a special experience as Rabbi Jay had us listen to the ocean, feel the sand between our toes and feel the wind softly remind us of the beauty of our island and our connection with nature. HEAR AND SEE US AT THE BEACH SERVICE LAST FRIDAY NIGHT (TOP TWO VIDEOS) BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK: ON THE BEACH Thank you to Bonnie Farin & Karen Schwing for providing the video HIGH HOLIDAYS According to High Holiday Chairperson, Carole Nunberg, THERE ARE NO SEATS IN THE SANCTUARY SECTION LEFT. There still are seats remaining in the rest of the synagogue so contact contact Carole at

5 A second service was held back at the Center with another nearly 50 worshippers in attendance. Saturday morning services featured a D'var Torah by Rob Van Van Naarden about the Hebrew Free Loan Society of Greater Philadelphia which provides interest free loans to the Jewish community. :Please click on this link to read Rob's remarks: DVAR and on this link to view the Society's brochure: SOCIETY The forecast for Sunday was rain but the day proved to be a perfect one for our ANNUAL ART FESTIVAL: overcast and pleasant temperatures. Much appreciation to Nita & Jeff Shapiro for developing and overseeing this very unique show. Not only are the participating artists and artisans very talented and their work distinctive, this event provides an opportunity to give tours to residents and visitors who are interested in learning more about our synagogue. Many thanks to all those who helped with this event: Ina Galer, Arnie Galer, Don Pripstein, Mickey Sherry, Ron Marr, Judy Abend, Jackie Avondoglio, Paul Avondoglio, Dan Shomer, Helyn Benjamin, Mel Benjamin, Lynn Berkowitz, Harold Farin, Bonnie Farin, Cliff Farin, Rosie Starr, Judy Smith, Howard Tomar, Eileen Levin, Anne Newman, Toby Schwait, Rose Valentine and Joanne Levine. On Tuesday, the Sisterhood held a BRUNCH attended by 40 Sisterhood members. Thanks to the many successful events the Sisterhood holds, President, Vivian Fitts, announced that the Sisterhood will be donating fans for for the kitchen and social hall and adding a $5,000 donation to help Burn the Mortgage. The group discussed various activities planned for next year. AUGUST ACTIVITIES CANASTA/BRIDGE Every Monday at the Center from 12:30-4:00 PM 9969 to make your reservation or CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR ALL HIGH HOLIDAY FORMS HIGH HOLIDAY FORMS OTHER HIGH HOLIDAY REQUESTS: Donation of flowers for the Bimah for Rosh Hashona. Contact Don Pripstein Hosts for Cantor Avi Green for meals on Rosh Hashonah & Yom Kippur as well as lodging for Avi for Yom Kippur. Contact Don Pripstein We have purchased a significant number of High Holiday prayer books. They can be sponsored in honor or memory of people or events. The cost is $72 each. If interested, please call the Office BREAK THE FAST following Havdalah on Saturday 9/14/13. $15 per person. Call Rosie Starr to make your reservation CONGREGATION NEWS CONDOLENCES TO CHARLINE GAULTON on the loss of her son, David Gaulton "May God remember forever our dear ones who have gone to their eternal rest. May they be at one with the One

6 MAH JONGG Every Wed. at the Center from 12:30-4:00 PM except 8/14 who is life eternal. May the beauty of their lives shine for evermore, and may our lives always bring honor to their memory." ZUMBA CLASSES Island Zumba - Mondays & Thursdays 9-10 AM Zumba Gold - Wednesdays 9-9:45 AM FINAL CLASSES THIS WEEK BEACH ART CLASSES June 24 - August 30 Monday - Fridays 10 AM - 1 PM at Art & Decor, Surf City Contact Art & Decor for further information; FINAL CLASSES THIS WEEK SCHOLAR AT THE SHORE WEEKEND August Shabbat Dinner Friday night at 6:00 PM AN EVENING WITH UNCLE FLOYD Sunday, August 25 at 7:00 PM BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP Wednesday, August 28 at 7:00 PM NEW DATE Book: "Lightening Between Oceans" LAUREN & ROBERT SNYDER on the marriage of their daughter MacKenzie to Jason Kesner Sunday, August 18th. Zack Levin won the gold metal at the Maccabi Games in Irvine, CA for TENNIS SHARE YOUR NEWS CONTACT: rvalen1963@aol.com TROLLEY MURAL TOUR OF PHILLY - SEPTEMBER 17. RESERVATIONS MUST BE IN BY SEPT 3. CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR YOUR RESERVATION FORM AND DETAILS. MURALS LIBRARY PROGRAMS OF INTEREST Monday, August 26 7:00 PM My Grandmother, My Mother & Me 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, Joy Kern, if you are in need of assistance or if you know of a JCC member that needs our help

7 In a one-woman show, Ruth Kaye interweaves her family story with Jewish music, bringing to life a family tree of three Jewish women. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. BEGINS 8/12. The LBI Branch of the Ocean County Library is located at 217 So. Central Avenue, Ship Bottom, NJ JCC OF LBI TREE OF LIFE CHALLAHS AT ACME Challahs are now available on Fridays at the Acme at 96th St. and the Boulevard in Peahala Park. See the front desk if you cannot find them. Thank you to Diane Hoffman for making the arrangements. 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. BRICK PAVERS 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." 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 Be one of the first to be part of our new Tree of Life. JCC INFORMATION Click on this link to see the NEW Tree of Life Form: TREE Please drop this form off at the

8 Office or mail to JCC of LBI, 2411 Long Beach Blvd. Spray Beach NJ along with your check. 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: DOCUMENTS AND LINKS JUST CLICK AND YOU'RE THERE!!! JULY/AUGUST BULLETIN: BULLETIN WEB SITE: JCC WEB SITE DUES RENEWAL FORM: RENEWAL PAVERS PAVERS TREE OF LIFE TREE HIGH HOLIDAY FORMS HH FORMS SUMMER 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

9 Leslie, Jeri & Marcie CONTACT INFORMATION: Rabbi Michael S. Jay Don Pripstein, JCC President Judy Smith, JCC VP VIEW THE SEPT/OCT BULLETIN with this link BULLETIN Editor: Rose Valentine