Category Archive

What have you decided to do for the New Year?  We all know or knew how important it is to keep your children busy with after school activities, but what about you? The lack of ‘something to do’ is a main reason for many problems including depression. Too many of us take the easy way out and become couch potatoes, and just watch TV. Get up from the couch, Go out and Do something.

This doesn’t have to be some world changing lifetime commitment. It could be as simple as to learn a new game, read a good book – perhaps that classic you never got around to,  learn to play an instrument, volunteer somewhere, or do something as simple as go to synagogue. Even if you are not religious, synagogue is a great excuse to leave the house, communicate with others, and indulge in self meditation. You don’t have to be able to read or understand Hebrew to be counted in a minyan or have a spiritual experience. And volunteering could be at the JCC or somewhere else. Even if somewhere else, I hope you will also plan to do a little more for our congregation. Interacting with other people is just good mental health. Be connected.

The year 2011 will be an interesting but difficult one for your JCC. The construction of our new building means we won’t have a central place to gather for religious, social or educational activities. It means that we have to go out of our way a little more to do things with and for our JCC family. And as always, it means we need help to plan, organize, and run these events. And we will certainly need help in bringing all our stuff, now in temporary storage, back to our new building. So get off that couch, make that resolution and commitment, participate in the events planned this year, answer the call to volunteer, and say YES when called to help.

Elsewhere in this Bulletin you will read updates on the Rebuild Project and all its activities. A very big THANK YOU to those members who did yeoman effort in preparing our building for demolition by removing plaques from the walls and schlepping so much stuff to temporary storage. And also to those who are lending parts of their homes for this storage. As construction continues, we now must start making progress payments to the contractor and others.  The more money we have, the less we have to borrow and pay interest on. Part of the way you can help in this New Year is to make sure you have paid your pledge in full, and if possible, give a little more. And don’t forget to get started on the ‘Check List’ found elsewhere in this Bulletin.

SHALOM,         Don Pripstein

Updated 2/26/11 kps

You will read elsewhere the latest information on our Rebuild Project, Capital Campaign and Transition.  Instead of discussing these very important items or asking for contributions for one thing or another, I am going to count some of our blessings at our JCC.

What can I say about our High Holiday services this year?   Rabbi Jack did a wonderful job and his sermons were meaningful… absolutely!  Avi Green did a superb job as Cantor … most definitely!  The shofar blowing by Dr Neal Chilton and his daughter was awesome. Our Gabbais and ushers kept everything running smoothly. Carole Nunberg did a stupendous job in the ticket distribution, seating and the Remembrance Book.  Many Congregants made commitments to our High Holiday Appeal (please send your checks in).  Volunteers came forward when asked to shlep stuff to and from the Foundation, to build and take down our Succot, to help with our water station at 18 mile run, etc. etc. etc.

In addition to all the above that took place over our High Holiday season, we are thankful for the Sisterhood women who work above and beyond the call of duty, to Karen Schwing for this Bulletin and her other activities, to those that answer the calls to help with Office work and with our many mailings, and to those that step forward to assist in our many activities throughout the year. I think everyone is aware that Ed Dreyfus as chairman of our Rebuild Project and Rose Valentine as chairman of our Capital Campaign spend a lot of their time on these activities, but I am sure that very few realize just how much time and effort this entails. I can assure you that it is far more than you realize –some weeks it may approach and even exceed 30 hours of volunteer work on our behalf. They both deserve the thanks from me and from all members of the JCC.  As does Harold Farin who has done a phenomenal job in assuring that our transition from our old building to the new will go smoothly and at a minimal cost.

While the main burdens and responsibilities are with them, they have plenty of help. To all these, and there are many folks who have diligently donated their time and talent, we thank you for helping create what will be a new, beautiful, and fiscally sound building of which we can all be proud.  Also to our members who are making parts of their homes available for the storage of such items as books, chairs, tables, and appliances. A special thank you also goes to St. Francis Parish for offering their Surf City church at which we will hold our religious services, and to Jody Robinson who is allowing us to use part of Julius’s office for Bonnie Clark and Marcie Deutsch to conduct JCC business during the transition.

Obviously I can’t mention too many specific names because I would surely miss some who have been there for us when needed. You know who you are.  But a special thank-you to my Vice-President Judy Smith who is in charge of our winter activities, who takes over when I am not here, and who acts as my sounding board when I am.

And finally, over 50% of our members have contributed to our Rebuild Capital Campaign. We are also grateful for your support of this project.  I guess it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t at least ask the rest of our members to join in this effort.

SHALOM

Don Pripstein

Updated 2/26/11 kps

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – Sept/Oct 2010 Bulletin
I was going to use this space to give you my Annual Report, but decided instead to discuss the dues increase voted on by our Board of Trustees.   I presented most of this at the annual meeting, but feel that all members should have this information.   Effective for our annual dues for calendar year 2011, the dues will increase to $400 for families and $200 for single members.
This is a large increase but was necessitated by many factors. It is the first increase in 9 years, and as everyone knows expenses have increased dramatically during that period.   We have all seen large increases in the cost of utilities, insurance, supplies, and other items necessary to run a household or congregation.   Over these 9 years our costs for salaries has also increased. We have met these increases by dipping into our reserves but we have now reached the point where further decreases would be harmful to our financial condition.  Where possible we have cut costs for printing, mailings, professional services etc.  Our operating costs were $130,000 in 2001 and $158,000 in 2009. We estimate they will be about $193,000 in 2011.
During the past years the Board considered raising dues several times but chose to delay it.  But, we can delay no longer.  In addition to the normal cost increases, we expect additional expenses in the transition costs associated with our Rebuild Project and in paying annual interest of 3 ½ %  on the monies we need to borrow. As you have heard by now, we are looking for 5 year loans from some of our members.  Also, during construction we will lose some or all profits we now realize from our Bazaars and Art Festival.  These profits along with dues, High Holiday Appeal, and normal tributes and contributions comprise most of our annual income.
Arrangements can be made to pay your dues Semi-Annually, and our Finance Committee will meet with any member who requires relief from full payment.  As in the past we will not deny membership to anyone who can’t pay the full amount.  Because we have some members in this position, I ask those that can do so to pay even more, or to increase your High Holiday pledge.  We must help each other. The annual dues charges at most congregations are several times as much as even our new schedule. Many congregations have a voluntary much higher dues charge category.  While we have no such category, it is something I hope you will do on your own.
As always, your JCC offers many services and activities for its members.  Please take advantage of some of these, and volunteer to help whenever possible. I know from experience that volunteering to help with projects is satisfying and makes you feel good.  I would be remiss if I didn’t offer thanks to all our members who have volunteered throughout the year to make things happen.  La Shona Tova from my family to yours.     SHOLOM,   Don Pripstein