January 11, 2024

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

You are receiving this Shabbat message on my 60th birthday, which of course, is putting me in a very reflective mood. I am so grateful for my wife of 35 years, my two children and their families, my mother, and my brother and his family. Family truly is everything, and I very much count my amazing colleagues at our fabulous Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center as family! I feel so blessed to lead this incredible organization and be a part of this wonderful community.

Just last night, 200 people joined us at Boca West Country Club for a phenomenal kickoff to our 8th Levis JCC’s Judy Levis Krug Boca Raton Jewish Community Film Festival. The Red Carpet Event was a truly special evening. Our Red Carpet Event Co-Chairs Paula Baker, Donna Ganslaw and Fran Siegel joined Festival leadership in welcoming filmmaker Stewart Schulman and acclaimed pianist John Bayless. All enjoyed the screening of “Left Alone Rhapsody,” Stewart’s documentary film about Bayless, who at the height of his career, suffered a stroke that rendered him unable to use his right hand. The moving film was followed by a live performance by John, leaving everyone in the room inspired and touched. Grand Benefactor Judy Levis Krug’s devotion to our Levis JCC and particularly to this Film Festival knows no bounds. Her generosity and commitment to our success has brought us to where we are today. Nina Rosenzweig and the incredible Screening Committee she leads have done an incredible job helping us reimagine this Film Festival in a year of change. I hope you will join us for the more than 40 films, most of which are Florida, U.S. and International Premieres, that will be screened during the Festival, which runs February 10 – March 4th. Information and tickets are available here.

This week’s Torah portion is Va’eira (And I Appeared), which was my bar mitzvah portion! In it, G d reveals Himself to Moses. Employing the “four expressions of redemption” -- take out the Children of Israel from Egypt, deliver them from their enslavement, redeem them, and acquire them as his own chosen people at “Mount Sinai”. He will then bring them to the land He promised to the Patriarchs as their eternal heritage. I “appeared” 60 years ago today, and what an incredible ride it has been!

Light Candles Friday evening at 5:29 pm.
Shabbat ends Saturday night at 6:26 pm.

Am Yisrael Chai!
Shabbat Shalom

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

Marty