JCC Parents Night Out

On Saturday night, Dec. 5, parents get the night off while their children (grades K - 4) have a blast at the JCC. Children will spend the evening making crafts, swimming in the JCC pool and playing fun games. Then they’ll cuddle up in their PJ’s and sleeping bags to watch the night’s feature film.

Program includes a pizza dinner and dessert. Please bring bathing suit, towel, pajamas and sleeping bag for movie time.

The night will run from 6 to 9 p.m. The cost of the event is $15 M/ $20 NM.

Contact Youth and Teen Director Robyn King for information and to sign up: 822- 1167 ext. 112 or e-mail RKing@jccatlantic.org.

Farbrengen at Chabad

Chabad invites the community for a Farbrengen (Chassidic Soul Gathering) at the Chabad Ventnor Shul, 6412 Ventnor Ave, on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m., in honor of the 19th of Kislev.

It is this day that two hundred and eleven years ago, Rabbi Shneur Zalmen of Liadi, the first Lubavitcher Rebbe, was released from prison after being held for spreading the light of Chassidism throughout Czarist Russia.

Join the community as we tell stories, sing songs, and toast L’chaim to mark this auspicious date. For information call 822-8500.

Manna at the Shore Fundraiser

Have dinner at Manna at the Shore’s annual fundraiser at Congregation Beth Israel in Northfield on Sunday, Dec. 6, from 6 to 9 p.m. There will be the opportunity to sample appetizers, entrees, desserts and some surprises from the area’s finest restaurants and bakeries, while you dine and dance and experience the magic of Manna.

Manna at the Shore prepares and delivers 2,000 meals each month in Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties to people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-threatening illnesses who are too sick to cook for themselves

Reservations are suggested. If space permits, you may pay at the door. Donation: $100 per person. For information or to make a reservation call 641- 3600.

The Search for the Lost Tribes of Israel

A video presentation by Gerry Spanier titled “The Quest for the Lost Tribes,” a new globe-scanning, richly documented search for the Lost Tribes of Israel, will be featured at the Beth El Men’s Club brunch on Sunday, Dec. 6, at 10:30 a.m.

The video, which includes the latest extraordinary evidence unearthed recently about the fascinating 3,000 year-old mystery, was produced by Simcha Jacobovici, director of “The Exodus Decoded” project.

The entire community is welcome to attend. The cost is $10 per person.

Gifts to Residential Center

Rabbi Krauss and members of Brith Sholom Seashore Lodge will be bringing gifts of clothing and personal items to the residents of the Woodbine Residential Center on Dec. 6th.

ORT Board Meetings

The ORT Chanukah Meeting will be on Dec 8. at 11:30 at Beth Judah, Ventnor. The guest speaker will be Cantor Larisa Averbakh from Beth Israel.

The winter card party will be on Jan. 12, 2010 at 9600 Atlantic Avenue, Margate.

Call Carol or Sande at 822- 3940 or 823-3433 for more information on these events.

Be Memorable for CONTACT Jewelry Party

Ladies, you deserve to treat yourselves – and your friends and family – this holiday season with beautiful, unique jewelry by Orel Originals. The “Be Memorable for CONTACT” jewelry party will be held Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the home of Jackie Caplan, 2411 Shepherd Circle, Northfield, NJ. Coffee and pastries will be served. It will benefit CONTACT Cape-Atlantic, a United Way agency that maskes 65,000 daily phone calls a year to check on the health and safety of elderly and disabled residents of Cape May and Atlantic counties.

Orel Originals (orel originals.com) designer Oranit Caplan creates unique necklaces, bracelets, earrings and “booklaces” using semiprecious stones, gold and silver. For more information and to reserve your spot, call CONTACT, 823-1850.

Light & Unity Celebration

The community and congregation of Beth Judah Temple of Wildwood invite everyone to celebrate Light and Unity on this special Chanukah Shabbat on December 11, at Beth Judah Temple, Wildwood, Spencer & Pacific avenues, at 6:30 p.m. Call 522-7541 for more information. The speakers at the event are Pastor Mark A. Marius, Pastor Tom Lavery, Pastor Joe Mathis and Reverend Joe Wallace.

Katz JCC Teen Winter Wonderland Dance

Teens in grades 6 to 8 are invited to a fun-filled night of music, dancing, and some frozen treats, at the Katz JCC on Sat., Dec. 19, from 7 to 9:45 p.m.

The cost is $5 for members; $10 for nonmembers. For information call Robyn King, 822-1167 ext. 112 or e-mail rking@jccatlantic.org.

Chanukah Carnival

Beth Judah Temple in Wildwood is having a Chanukah Carnival on December 13, 2009 from 12 noon to 3:00 p.m. This is open to the public for kids of all ages. There will be food, arts & crafts, carnival games & prizes, sand art, face painting and much more. Please call 522- 7541 for additional information.

Beth Judah Hanukkah Bazaar

Forget navigating the crowds in malls and driving up and down the aisles trying to find parking and have fun shopping for a unique holiday gift or find a fabulous treasure of your own at Congregation Beth Judah’s annual Hanukkah Bazaar, Sunday, December 6, 2009, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event, sponsored by the Beth Judah Sisterhood, raises funds for youth programs and activities in the synagogue and surrounding communities.

A spectrum of specialty vendors including Simply Fabulous Belt Buckles, The Schnecken Connection homemade baked goods and Lilli's Scarves will be selling a unique selection of clothing, accessories, jewelry, gift sets and home décor. The Beth Judah Gift Shop will also be open, offering a fine array of Judaica and holiday items. A delicious kosher lunch will be for sale. Kids will enjoy hands-on crafts, video games and even face painting. Ample parking is available.

JCC Brunch & The Inner Light of Chanukah

Come to the Katz JCC on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 10:30 a.m. for the next JCC Brunch & Learn event. Rabbi Avi Rappoport from Chabad will speak about Harnessing the Inner Light Of Chanukah.

Join in for a discussion of the story of Chanukah and how the morals, traditions and story of the ancient holiday are more relevant today than ever. The film “Decoding the Past, Secrets of Kabbalah” will be shown on the JCC’s big screen following the discussion.

Once the exclusive domain of ultra-religious male students of Judaism, the ancient philosophy of Kabbalah has found a resurgence in recent years. This film traces Kabbalah from its ancient roots to its modern-day incarnation.

The event is free and open to the entire community. Please RSVP to Josh Cutler, JCC program director at 822-1167 ext. 138 or email JCutler @jccatlantic.org.

Why Chanukah?

A class on the textual origins of Chanukah will be taught by Rabbi Jeffrey Lipschultz of Beth Judah Temple of Wildwood at the temple, Spencer and Pacific avenues, on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m.

The class will offer an opportunity to learn everything you’ve wanted to know about Chanukah. Everyone is welcome to attend. For information call the office at 522-7541.

Golda Meir Hadassah Chanukah Meeting

Golda Meir Hadassah will present a special Chanukah meeting and mini luncheon for $3.00 on Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 11:30 a.m., at Beth El Synagogue, 500 N. Jerome Ave. in Margate. Latkes will be served and there will be menorahs and candies on each table, in the tradition of the holiday.

Cantor Debrah Stern will light the candles and say Chanukah prayers. Several of our members will read the history of Chanukah. It is suggested that a toy, with a value of $1.00 to $5.00, for children from infancy to eleven years of age, be contributed, in the holiday spirit.

Reservations are a must. Please call Ruth Kleiner at 822-5370.

All guests are welcome.

Online Avon Party

No, the Avon lady is not coming to your house! But you’ll be able to see and order the popular cosmetics and holiday gifts on the Internet at CONTACT’s Avon Online Party.

Party hostess Michelle DiRenzo will donate 50 percent of the profits to CONTACT Cape-Atlantic. Here’s how you do it: Go to Michelle’s Avon Website at http://youravon.com/ mdirenzo.

From there, clik on the tab named “online events,” which will direct you to the CONTACT Cape-Atlantic Avon Fundraiser web page. Place your order online and it will be shipped directly to your home! For more information call CONTACT at 823-1850.

CONTACT Cape-Atlantic is a United Way agency that makes 65,000 daily phone calls a year to check on the health and safety of elderly and disabled residents.

Chanukah Celebration

Brith Sholom Seashore Lodge will be holding its annual Chanukah Celebration at Sharon Zeng’s Restaurant on Dec. 17.

Community FoodBank of New Jersey-Southern Branch

Ocean City – Avoid the holiday hassle while supporting a good cause. The Friends of the FoodBank Auxiliary is holding a Holiday Cookie Walk on Friday, Dec. 18 from 5:30 to 8;30 p.m. at the Ocean City High School Cafeteria. Come enjoy the festive atmosphere while taking a “cookie walk” around a large selection of delicious holiday cookies. Pick your favorites and pay by the pound. All proceeds benefit the Community FoodBank of New Jersey Southern Branch, which helps hungry families throughout Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland counties. For information call 383-8843.