JCV Blog

Chai Lights - at the JCV

The JCV is committed to bringing people together; we are here to keep you informed and connected through a wide variety of programs. Browse our website and virtual or socially distanced events listed below to stay up to date on upcoming programs and services. Our top priority is the health and well-being of the JCV community; new policies are now in effect for the use of the JCV building. In-person services are now being held in the JCV. Watch for updates as guidelines are subject to modifications.

Members who have provided proof of vaccination are able to attend services, meetings, and events within the building.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of event data contained in this issue; however, all events are subject to change. All times shown are in the Eastern Time Zone. To see last week, (November 21), click HERE.

News at a Glance

(Continue scrolling or click on link for details on items listed here)

Shabbat Worship
Events, Programs, and Classes
Looking Ahead
JCV Community Announcements
Food Festival Facets
In Case You Missed It
JCV News Sponsors

Shabbat Worship

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Friday
7:30pm: Shabbat Services
In-person and on Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86717410874 (867 1741 0874, Passcode: jcv).
Weekly: December 3* , 10, 17, 24, 31*; January 7, 14, 21, 28; February 4, 11, 18, 25; March 4,11. Save this event to your calendar system.

*Friday, December 3 
5:00pm: Shabbat Services/Sixth night of Chanukah/Cantor Marci’s 20th Anniversary
Bring your Chanukah menorah to the JCV and we will light our candles for the sixth night of Chanukah followed by a Shabbat/Chanukah service celebrating Cantor Marci Vitkus' 20th anniversary of her tenure at the JCV. 


*Friday, December 31
5:00pm: Shabbat Services

Events, Programs, and Classes

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Monday and Thursday - recurring classes
10:30am: Indoor T'ai Chi at the JCV, masks optional
Duration: 1 hour. Recurring classes on Mondays and Thursdays. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Barry Bye by email at barryvbye@gmail.com.

Tuesday (every two weeks) - recurring Zoom discussion 
11:30am: Cantor Marci’s Kol Isha - women’s discussion group
Same time, new place - Kol Isha will meet in person at the JCV.  Feel free to bring your lunch!  Zoom will still be available!
Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85852773780 (858 5277 3780)

Recurring Zoom discussion - every 2 weeks on Tuesdays, until December 21, 2021. December 7, 21. Save this event to your calendar system. All women members of the JCV are welcome.

Monthly
10:00am: Sisterhood Book Club
Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84030659064 (840 3065 9064, Passcode: bookclub)
Recurring Zoom discussion - Monthly: December 6, 2021; January 3, 2022
Save this event to your calendar system.

Monthly on the First Monday of the Month  - Beginning February 7 until December 5, 2022
10:30am: Sisterhood Book Club
In-person at the JCV or on Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89048668131 (890 4866 8131, Passcode: bookclub)
February 7; March 7; April 4; May 2; June 6; July 4; August 1; September 5; October 3; November 7; December 5.
Save this event to your calendar system.

Tuesday, November 30 
6:45pm: Third night of Chanukah
Lighting of the outdoor Chanukah menorah at the JCV along with Chanukah treats and Chanukah songs. A short and sweet get-together. See poster below.

Looking Ahead

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Sunday, January 9 
12:30pm: Welcome Back to the JCV BBQ and Happy New Year Get-Together
Immediately following the congregational meeting. More information to follow. 

Sunday, February 13 - NEW
10:00am: Jewish Food Festival
The JCV Jewish Food Festival returns in 2022 with Jewish food, culture, and fun. We are looking forward to seeing everyone. Check back for the latest information.  

JCV Community Announcements

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Effective Immediately
Now that the JCV has re-opened, many of you can start having meetings in the building. We continue to have the requirement for all attendees to show proof of vaccination. Only vaccinated individuals will be admitted into the building. As committee chairs or meeting leaders, it is your responsibility to make sure the procedures below are followed:

• Check the JCV official calendar on the website to confirm your proposed meeting is not in conflict with other scheduled meetings
• Reserve the room for your meeting. Send a note to president@thejcv.org and provide the following information: Date, time, and duration of the meeting;  Resources needed; location in the JCV where you plan to meet;  Do you require Zoom? 
• Confirm that all attendees have had vaccinations
• Maintain a log of who attended. This will be used into notify attendees in the unfortunate event of someone who attended the meeting coming down with COVID 

This policy pertains to all meetings in the JCV building. Here are some examples:

• Membership showing potential congregants the building
• Meeting with an outside vendor
• Rabbi or Cantor meeting with congregant or guests

We ask that you follow this policy to make every effort to ensure a safe, COVID-free JCV.
Thank you,
Harvey Cohen
President

Food Festival Facets 

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Flea Market News - NEW
The 2022 Jewish Food Festival and Flea Market on February 13 will be a smaller outdoor event, in an abundance of caution due to COVID.

The Flea Market will be featuring Judaica EXCLUSIVELY. Due to available storage space at the JCV, we are requesting donations for the February Flea Market be limited to Judaica items only. We hope to bring back the full Flea Market in December 2022 and look forward to accepting Flea Market donations after this year’s Jewish Food Festival is over. We need your help to make the 2022 Judaica sale the best ever.

Please donate the following:

• Judaica Jewelry
• Jewish Themed Tablecloths
• Jewish Holiday Items
• Cloth or Paper Napkin Products
• Jewish Themed Art
• Israeli Products
• Jewish Religious Objects 
• Candlesticks 
• Menorahs
• Mezuzahs
• Tallit and bags
• Books cannot be accepted at this time. 

Any questions on what is needed, call Bruce or Diane Minsley 941-681-2488.
Thank you so much for your help. 

Volunteer Opportunities - NEW
Without volunteers the Jewish Food Festival is impossible to hold. We are hoping you contribute to the 2022 Festival in one of two ways, with your time or a monetary contribution – or both!

• Fill out and return the Sign Me Up form (see poster below), by November 29, 2021, to the JCV Office or electronically send to Mardi Skoegard, Volunteer Captain, at mardiskoegard@comcast.net. For more information, call Mardi at 941-882-2875.
• Many volunteer opportunities are currently available prior to the Jewish Food Festival on Sunday, February 13, 2022; see cooking schedule poster below. Email Judy Rapaport at rapaport.judy@gmail.com with a list of the days and tasks where you want to volunteer. Just come and you will be given  something to do. All jobs require a hat and apron and COVID VACCINATION. Feel free to bring your own kitchen tools. Start time is 9:30am. - Schedules subject to change. Come when you can and stay as long as you can. Someone will be available to teach you. Baked goods are being accepted now to be placed in the freezer. 

In Case You Missed It

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Don’t Forget to Send in Your Proof of Vaccination Information 
The Board of Directors is taking precautions to protect our members as much as possible during the ongoing COVID-19 situation. While there is no perfect solution to COVID-19 challenges, the Board has focused on what they believe will be the most effective way to protect congregants. The JCV cannot ensure an absolute and secure situation during these uncertain and challenging times.

The JCV Board voted to have all congregants show proof of vaccination for future admittance to the building. We will enter this information into our database so you will only have to show it one time. The board thanks you for your cooperation in this procedure. If you have questions, feel free to contact any JCV Board member.

We will continue documenting proof of vaccination information so that as we reopen, we have current info.

Two simple ways for congregants to send in proof of vaccination:

• Send a photocopy or scanned copy of your COVID-19 vaccination card to the following email: vaxthejcv@gmail.com.
• You can also make a copy and send it via the US Post Office to the JCV (600 N. Auburn Rd., Venice, FL 34292).

All copies will be shredded once registered in our database.
 

JCV Policy Update Effective November 11, 2021
Hello Fellow Congregants and others receiving this message,
I hope this message finds you doing well and enjoying the beautiful fall weather. The Board of Directors held their monthly meeting on November 10th and the following recommendations were approved with regard to the reopening of the JCV, moving closer to its normal pre-Covid operational status.

These new guidelines are effective immediately and will remain until any further warranted updates.

• All worship services and other functions at the JCV will be available for any participant who has demonstrated proof of vaccination. In advance, the prayer books will be placed on seats. The books are to be left on the seat at the conclusion of the service.
• Wearing of face masks is optional at all events within the JCV building and on the grounds. Individuals who prefer to wear a mask, should wear it properly.
• All events where participants are to be seated will have both socially distanced seating and non-socially distanced seating available.
• Food will be permitted, including food that is not prepackaged or individually wrapped; extra caution and best practices should be used for food handling. Those preparing and handling food should practice good hand hygiene, and wear gloves, hair nets, and masks. When food is available, it should be served by a limited number of individuals who use utensils to serve it and individually give it to those partaking. There SHOULD NOT be anyone serving themselves or touching any food items other than that which is handed to them by a server. There should also be some food available that is prepackaged for individuals who prefer this at any food function.
• Those having Torah honors will be permitted to stand next to the Torah. They should bring their own tallit. At this time, there will be no procession with the Torah.
• While events are permitted in person at the JCV, consideration should be given to include Zooming the event when warranted.
• Individuals attending events at JCV must be checked in to the building in order to ensure their vaccination status. A record of all attendees should be kept.
• While the overall COVID status in our local area is moving in a more positive direction, the Reopening Committee and Board will remain vigilant and react to recommendations that may warrant other changes.
• Attendees at any function should always evaluate their own health status and make their own determination about their willingness to participate in any JCV event.

On behalf of the Board, let me thank everyone for their attention to these details. We all have worked diligently to have a safe and healthy congregation and we want to continue in the same fashion. On behalf of all of us, we wish you a joyous Thanksgiving holiday and we look forward to Chanukah.

Harvey Cohen, President
Board of Directors
Jewish Congregation of Venice

Sunshine Fund 
For only $5.00, support the JCV and save yourself a trip to the card shop! We have get well, condolence, simchas, and congratulation cards. Call Vicki Solomon at 941-492-5043 or email her at sailingvicki@gmail.com. Then all you have to do is send a check to the JCV or pay on ShulCloud on the Donate page; check Donations>Sunshine in the “Type” drop down box.

Mah Jongg Cards 
2022 mah jongg cards are available to order. The price is $9.00 for a small card and $10.00 for a large card. Payment can be sent to, or dropped off at, the JCV. Orders will be taken until December 31, 2021.

Rabbi's Day Off and Office Hours
Rabbi Shull’s day off will be Tuesdays until such time as the synagogue building will be open for regular programming. Anyone interested in meeting Rabbi Shull in his office at the JCV, precluding any emergencies, is encouraged to give him a call and make an appointment during his regular office hours.

Sunday: The rabbi will be available to congregants.
Monday: 9:30am to 3:30pm
Tuesday: Off
Wednesday: 9:30am to 3:30pm
Thursday: 9:30am to 12:30pm
Friday: Available by phone (941-441-5713)
Saturday: Shabbat, the rabbi will be available in an emergency.

If you would like to meet him in person at the JCV any other time Sunday through Friday, that can also be arranged by calling to make an appointment. Rabbi Shull can be reached at 941-441-5713. Anyone entering the JCV building is required to wear a face mask and be fully vaccinated.

A Real Mitzvah! 
There are seven households at the JCV without computer and internet access. We are looking for folks willing to touch base by phone each week to share the happenings for the week and to call when a special blast is sent. If you are interested, please contact Nessa at 941-451-4021 or membership@thejcv.org.

Welcome Back to "Almost Normal" at the Jewish Congregation of Venice 
In order to help us all connect, or re-connect with each other, the Membership Committee would like to call your attention to an opportunity to join a Chavurah. We have several Chavurot that are flourishing, but invite you to let us know if you would like to form a new group.

Each group can make the decision on how, where, and when to meet; which means anywhere from private homes to outside venues; or a combination. You decide how often you'll meet, although most groups meet once a month. They also have a combination of singles and couples.

The one issue we find that helps keep a group on track is the selection of a chair whose main role is that of an organizer.
If interested, or if you have questions, email Maxine Arkin at jarkin999@yahoo.com.

Submitting Articles to JCV News and Deadlines
Criteria for publication: JCV News welcomes JCV and member-related news for publication. Only articles or Zoom meeting information will be considered for publication. Articles that will not be considered: commercial, political, or solely promotional in nature; submitted to, accepted by, or published by another medium, printed or online; copyrighted materials without permission. 

Submitting articles: Material submitted for publication should be presented as articles or Zoom meeting information in the text of the main body of your email. Pictures must be a separate .png file attachment. Avoid including attachments unless essential. Do not submit an event or article if it has not been confirmed by all parties involved.

Deadline for submissions: 5:00pm on the Wednesday prior to the Sunday of publication. All requests for publication should be sent to JCVNews@thejcv.org. This email address is to be used for submission of articles for consideration of publication only. Final versions of submissions are the only emails that will be accepted.
 

JCV News Sponsors

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