February 8, 2024

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

I'm writing this Shabbat message to you from my second JCCA "Mifgash," which means "Encounter." It is the annual gathering of JCC CEOs and senior JCC professional leadership from across the country, which was held in Denver, Colorado.

This year's Mifgash was particularly powerful as it coincided with the 122-124th days that the Israeli hostages have been held captive by Hamas. Our group heard from six families directly impacted by the kidnapping, some whose family members were brutally murdered. A music group from Sderot, who also suffered losses, played heart-wrenching songs and their broken hearts sang out to us.

This week's Torah portion is Mishpatim (Ordinances) in the book of Exodus, the second in the Five Books of Moses. In it, G-d promises to bring the people of Israel to the Holy Land, and warns them against assuming the pagan ways of its current inhabitants. As the IDF continues to fight for Israel's security and the return of the hostages, it is these biblical promises from thousands of years ago, to the Jewish people that give us strength to carry on.

Light Shabbat candles on Friday night at 5:50 pm.
Shabbat ends Saturday night at 6:45 pm.

Am Yisrael Chai!
Shabbat Shalom

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Marty