January 8, 2026

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

This weekend, I will be celebrating my 62nd birthday. With the passing years come many blessings, and I feel especially grateful to be a member of the “sandwich generation” – a stage of life that allows me to watch my children become loving spouses and parents while also caring for my mother as she ages. Im Yirtzeh Hashem (G-d willing), this year will bring two additional grandchildren, and continued joy from every member of my family, including our fifteen-and-a-half-year-old dachshund, Marley.

At the Adolph & Rose Levis JCC, we are celebrating our 43rd year of providing meaningful programming for community members of all ages and life stages. This week, our Betty & Marvin Zale Early Childhood Learning Center returned from winter break, as preschool and Baby & Me classrooms filled with play, creativity, and smiles. Yesterday, art lovers enjoyed a special evening at Clive Daniel Home, where guests joined us for an artist showcase featuring contemporary abstract artist Rick Lowe. Participants enjoyed wine, hors d’oeuvres, a raffle, and the unique opportunity to watch the Fort Lauderdale-based artist create a piece live. And tonight, our Helene & Roy Schwedelson Special Needs Department participants are gathering for the start of the winter session of Move & Mingle, our year-round adult fitness program, and SAVVY, an innovative self-defense and safety program for girls and women ages 16 and up.

This week's Torah portion is Shemot (Names), the first portion in the book of Exodus, the second in the Five Books of Moses. In it, we witness a powerful turn of events; it begins with Pharaoh’s enslavement of the Jews and the birth of Moses under dangerous circumstances, but ends with Moses emerging as a powerful leader carrying G-d’s promise of redemption. The Torah portion reminds us that, even when times feel unstable, resolution and hope are closer than we might imagine, especially when we face challenges together.

Light Shabbat candles Friday evening at 5:28 pm.
Shabbat ends Saturday evening at 6:23 pm.

Shabbat Shalom
Am Yisrael Chai!

If you would like to support the Levis JCC and its programs and services, click below.

Marty