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Did you know that The JCC of LBI has about 280 member units of which 61 (21%) are single person memberships? Of the 280 units, about 31 (11%) live on the Island full-time and 55 (20%) are year-round residents on the Mainland. I am sometimes amazed that, with only 31% of our membership being considered year-round, and many of those traveling and vacationing for several weeks or even a month or so each winter, our Congregation is as active in the winter months as it is. Letters go out, dues and donations come in and are recorded, Bulletins are issued, our web-site is updated, and through our Shabbat Reminder our members are kept informed each week. We have religious school, breakfasts, dinners, other social activities, and services. Of course we wish that we were assured of a minyan every Friday, but our thanks go to all those that plan, organize and attend all these activities.
Did you hear what a fantastic Groundbreaking ceremony we had on March 16th? Check our web-site www.jccoflbi.org to see and hear more about it. Elsewhere in this Bulletin (and on our web-site) you can read about current progress of the construction and of our Capital Campaign.
I guess a Rabbi’s job is to teach and inspire, while a President’s job is to ask for money and volunteers. To begin construction of our new facility, we had to cut costs wherever possible while keeping the general size and functionality intact. We will initially be using our old chairs instead of new pews, and our existing kitchen appliances, lecterns, tables etc. until we can afford new ones. Our parking lot will be stone instead of asphalt. Even with all these cost cuttings we still have to borrow monies to complete construction, and this requires interest payments and that it be paid back. We still have over 100 members that have not participated, and we need everyone’s help. So please contact Rose to make a new pledge or increase your present one. By the way, check our web-site to see the latest drawings and building plans. Thanks to Karen Schwing, it is amazing what all is included on our site.
A positive note on money collection is that we raised $29,432 from 106 contributors in our 2010 High Holiday Appeal. The comparable numbers for 2009 and 2008 are $29,148 from 125 persons and $26,903 from 111. While the total dollar and average amounts are up, the number of participants is down. Still not too late to contribute.
As our busy summer season begins, we are faced with many challenges. It will be difficult to maintain our activities without a home of our own. To do this, we will need YOUR HELP. Help with the planning and carrying out of our activities, and help by attending and showing your support regardless of where they are held this summer. Any hardship or inconvenience this summer will be rewarded by having a new and larger facility for future use by us and those that follow.
We also need new ideas for our normal and our Capital Campaign fundraising. Each of these can best be done by a committee of creative and innovative people. Eileen Levin has agreed to spearhead this. Please give her or me a call to let us know that you are willing to be a part of these important committees.
SHALOM
Don Pripstein
