Jewish Community Center of
Long Beach Island
E-Letter
December 11, 201529 Kislev 5776
CELEBRATING CHANUKAH
Sheri & Rabbi Jay
Jessica Schwing lights the candles in her dorm room at Towson
The Valentine Family light candles in Princeton Junction on the first night of the holiday
Arlene Schragger skypes with her grandchildren in Sweden
We would love to have you send us pictures of your Chanukah candle lighting to include on our web site and Shabbat Reminder. Send all pictures to [email protected].
Contents
Celebrating Chanukah
A Chanukah Message from the Rabbi
Kol Hakavod
Religious School Chanukah
A Message from Mrs. B.
Upcoming Activities
Giving Opportunities
This Week's Events
Service Schedule
Mishaberah List
Yahrzeits for Next Week
Minyanim
Congregation News
TD Affinity Program
Text Blast Sign Up
Sisterhood Stuff
Gift Shop
Name Badges
JCC Caps
Documents & Links
A CHANUKAH MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
After we light the Hanukkia (the technical term for the Hanukkah Menorah), according to our tradition we chant "Haneirot Hallahlu". The Hymn, gleaned from a passage in the Talmud, reads as follows:
We light these lights
Because of the miracles and wonders,Deliverances and victoriesYou performed for our ancestors in those days, at this season, through Your holy priests.
Throughout the eight days of HanukkahThese lights are holyAnd we are not permittedTo make any other use of them,Except to look at them,
That we may give thanks and praise to Your great name For Your miracles, Your wonders and Your deliverances.
The Hebrew is poetically beautiful and the words are instructive in nature. The poem is broad in its scope. "We" refers to us in the present tense. "You" refers to God. "Ancestors" refers to those who came before us, i.e. the past tense. As we look at the flickering candles, we are transported to moments of miracle.
Hanukkah is a celebration of the Maccabees' miraculous victory over the Greek army. However, when we stare into the candles we do not have to limit ourselves to that awesome moment in Jewish history. Use the candles to be transported to your own miracles. Conjure up a great sports victory; dream about your first car; ponder the birth of a child; think of a moment of personal triumph; or summon a time of transcendent humility.
The gentle undulation of each candle has the power to transport us.
But don't consider only past miracles. Use the glow to revel in your hopes and dreams. Find them in the flames. Seek your desired future in that space between the flame and the wick. Create the poetry that will be your life in the yellowish shimmer rising from the wax.
In this way, the Hanukkia becomes a connective portal between our past, present, and futures. In its glow, we shift from what is to what might be.
There is one additional, and important, piece to the Hanukkah puzzle. Each of us should try to be the Shamash, the candle that lights all of the other candles . What a poignant message it is; "BE THE SHAMASH". I believe I first saw this concept on Rabbi David Wolpe's Facebook page. While each candle plays a role in our visual and visionary play, it is the Shamash that sets the memory and hope in motion. It is the Shamash that binds past, present, and future. It is the Shamash that has the vision, foresight, and the energy needed to light all of the other candles. While all of the other candles passively await being ignited, it is the Shamash that brings them from darkness to light..
Our tradition teaches us that we are to be an "Ohr LaGoyim", a light to the nations. We are that glimmer of hope in a darkened world. Be a Shamash. Be the one whose spark kindles the good that can be.
Chag Urim Sameach (Happy Holiday of Lights) - Rabbi Michael S. Jay
KOL HAKAVOD CAMPAIGN
Please considerbeing 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 FORMKOL HAKAVOD
OUR RELIGIOUS SCHOOL ENJOYS CHANUKAH
Kids making candles for the menorah.
Moms make latkes with Rabbi Jay
On Sunday morning December 6, 2016 the Religious School students andparents celebrated a "messy" Chanukah. Laughter and pleasant aromas filled the building. The students created crafts each at a different table such as Marshmallow dreidles, popsicle stick menorahs and picture frames, everyone went home with their handmade candles, and wooden menorahs. We packed the gift bags for our visit to the hospital on Tuesday night. While all this was happening in the Social Hall, Rabbi Jay and his handy helpers were grating potatoes and onions for the most delicious latkes. We sang the blessings and Chanukah songs ate latkes, jelly donuts and the marshmallow dreidles. Fun was had by all. Since it takes more than one to make a successful party I want to thank Julie Becker, Cole, and Aleyana; Donna Demola and Gabriel; Sharon Gatto, Nick and Mike; Stephanie Krill, Abigail and Emilie; Erika Marcy and Jenna; Susan Sheehan and Jared.
Students, parents and grandparents visited SOMC last Tuesday to tell the patients about Chanukah and hand out bags of Chanukah goodies including marshmallow dreydels made at the JCC. See this link for the recipe:MARSHMALLOW DREYDELS
A MESSAGE FROM LYNN BERKOWITZ (MRS B)
As I climbed the steps to the attic I couldn't believe that a year has passed since I packed up my army gear for storage. Down came my suitcase with my army boots, uniform, work gloves, linens, ditty bag etc. ready to go this Saturday for my fifth stint with the Volunteers for Israel. I will be gone a month working on an unknown Army base, sleeping in barracks with new friends, eating Israeli food in the cafeteria, visiting museums and, most important, reacquainting myself with my 4 grandchildren. If physically fit, I would highly recommend joining me on one of this visits for a most exciting and rewarding trip. For me personally, it was a life changing experience and one that I hope and pray I can continue for years to come. It is one thing to contribute money and time to volunteer organizations but to actually give up creature comforts and work side by side with these young soldiers is a far greater contribution to our State of Israel. Shalom my friends. Happy Holiday season and see you in January.
Lynn Berkowitz is leaving for her annual stint with the Volunteers for Israel."Leich l'shalom", "Go toward peace"
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
MAH JONGG
Wednesdays 12:30 - 4:00 PM
JCC OF LBI CHANUKAH PARTY
BRING YOUR MENORAH AND CANDLES TO LIGHT THAT NIGHT.
Saturday evening, December 12th
5:30 PM at the JCC Social Hall
$25 per person
There is no charge fo Religious School students and children under 12.
Deli dinner, games, grab bag, songs and lots of fun
Everyone is asked to bring a $5 grab bag gift
Send you reservation and check to :
Lori Sherry, 167 Seneca Blvd. Barnegat, NJ 08005
732-692-4201
JOIN US on our annual Christmas Day visit to bring holiday cheer and a pointsetta plant to the patients spending the holiday in the hospital. We will meet in the lobby of SOMC at 10:00 AM. Call Vivian Fitts at 609-492-9412 for an hour of doing mitzvot.
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
FILM FUND
LET'S BRING THE MOVIES TO THE JCC OF LBI
We are very excited about the decision of the Board of Directors to pursue the purchase of audio-visual equipment for the JCC of LBI. This will allow us to show films as well as other educational materials in our building and opens many wonderful opportunities for future programming. Board member Fred Schragger is heading this project.
Be an angel, a backer, a producer by donating to our JCC of LBI Film Fund.
ANGEL CONTRIBUTION: $1,000
BACKER CONTRIBUTION: $500
PRODUCER CONTRIBUTION $250
Your gift large or small is much appreciated. Please send your contribution to the JCC office: 2411 Long Beach Blvd., Spray Beach, NJ 08008 and mark it Film Fund.
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)
Only 4 x 8 and 12 x 12 size pavers are available
Here is the Paver Form:
PAVER
JCC INFORMATION
THE OFFICE IS LOCATED AT
2411 Long Beach Boulevard (24th Street)
Spray Beach, NJ 08008
ENTER THE BUILDING DURING OFFICE HOURS
THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR.
PRESS THE ENTRY BUTTON ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE ENTRANCE FOR ADMITTANCE.
Mailing Address:
2411 Long Beach Blvd.
Spray Beach, NJ 08008
Telephone: 609-492-4090
FAX: 609-492-7550
email: [email protected]
web site: www.jccoflbi.org
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
Office Staff:
Leslie Dinkfelt
Jeri Riffle
Marcie Deutsch
Leslie, Marcie and Jeri
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Rabbi Michael S. Jay
[email protected]
Don Pripstein, JCC President
djp
