January 9, 2025

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

You are receiving this Shabbat message 2 days before my 61st birthday, amid the chilliest temperatures of the year for us here in Boca Raton. With the holiday season behind us, we’re heading into a very busy time: we have an upcoming Presidential Inauguration, the NFL Playoffs are on the way, Russia continues its aggression against Ukraine and sadly, we still await the release of the over 100 hostages continuing to be held in captivity in Gaza. Of course, we are keeping the people of California in our hearts and thoughts as the devastating fires continue to rage on. There is a lot going on nationally and globally. It is a good reminder that there is always a place to come together right here at our Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center.

What a week it’s been here! On Tuesday, our Phyllis & Harvey Sandler Center’s “A Literary Afternoon Series” presented author Betsey Lerner who spoke about her novel Shred Sisters to a gathering of nearly 100 book lovers. On Wednesday evening, almost 90 participants joined us for our latest JCC Engagement event, Levis JCC X Clive Daniel Home Event. That same afternoon, our Phyllis & Harvey Sandler Center’s Nina & Martin Rosenzweig West Boca Theatre Company’s third production of the season opened. “My Old Lady” is playwright Israel Horovitz’s “valentine to Paris” and I hope you’ll join us for one of the seven remaining performances. Tickets are available online at levisjcc.org/culture/theater.

This week’s Torah portion is Vayechi (And He Lived) in the book of Genesis, the first book in the Five Books of Moses. In it, before his passing, Joseph conveys to the Children of Israel the promise from which they will draw their hope and faith in the difficult years to come: “G-d will surely remember you, and bring you up out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” It is that promise that gives us strength as we continue to fight for the release of our hostages. As we welcome in Shabbat this week, I pray for the hostages, and for our fellow Americans affected by the fires in California.

Light candles Friday night at 5:29 pm
Shabbat ends on Saturday night at 6:24 pm

Shabbat Shalom
Am Yisrael Chai!

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

Marty