March 16, 2023

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

This week in particular I am reminded of how fast time flies. A little under one year ago, I flew to Florida from Arizona to attend a Special Night for Special Needs, my very first Adolph & Rose Levis JCC event. I recall being deeply impressed with the professionalism of the staff running the program that evening, as well as the warm and caring community that came together in support of the Levis JCC’s Helene & Roy Schwedelson Special Needs Department and its programs. I’ve come full-circle at the Levis JCC – this past week I attended that same event, and one year later, it was just as wonderful, welcoming, and indicative of the special community we all call home. Speaking of home, Lori and I continue to work on improvements on and around our house, and with each project, we are reminded of how fortunate we are to be at home here in Boca Raton.

This week is the second of the three weeks that make up the Adolph & Rose Levis JCC’s Judy Levis Krug Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival. Attendance has been strong, the films have been outstanding, and I extend a special thank you to Wendy Honig and Lesley Rich for their tireless work in bringing these 86 phenomenal films to our community. I write this message having just returned from viewing the film “Jew Suess 2.0,” which addresses the resurgence of antisemitic imagery powered by the internet and the resulting increase in antisemitic perceptions and acts of hate. I particularly enjoyed leading an energetic post-screening conversation with the audience, especially a key takeaway that it is our individual and collective responsibility to stand up against hate in all of its forms.

This week’s double Torah portion is Vayakhel-Pekudai (And He Gathered- Amounts Of) in the book of Exodus, the second in the Five Books of Moses. In it, Moses has to tell the Israelites to stop bringing materials to build the Mishkan (Tabernacle). That spirit of generosity has defined the Jewish people for thousands of years. It was on full display at Special Night for Special Needs, and it is on display in the many ways we come together in support of our community and each other. This generosity creates a unified community committed to responsibility and justice.

Light candles Friday night at 7:12 pm
Shabbat ends Saturday night at 8:05 pm

Shabbat Shalom,

Marty