April 20, 2023

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

On Tuesday I spent considerably more time than usual hunting down gas for my car. I assume many of you are experiencing this as well—I had no idea that the rains that flooded Broward County caused such a gas crisis throughout the state. I was pleased to find that most people who were at the station were keeping their cool while waiting on long lines and tried to keep others in their consideration by only filling their tanks partially so others could get some gas as well. I did the same. It reminded me that we must always try to take care of one another.

That evening I attended the first meeting of our Adolph & Rose Levis JCC’s incoming Officers of the Board of Directors, who will be officially installed at our annual meeting in May. It was so energizing as Board Chair Designate Steve Clarfield convened this group informally for the first time. Part of the litmus test of a healthy not for profit organization is its approach to succession. I commend both Steve and our outgoing Board Chair, Emily Grabelsky, for putting together a diverse group of highly successful, intelligent, influential and passionate individuals to serve as our new team of officers. It bodes well for our agency and for the community at large. As our leadership works together, they are taking care of each other and of our Levis JCC, and by extension our community. Yom Hashoah was this past Tuesday, a day that marks one of the darkest times in our history and asks us to pause, reflect, and to never forget. In reflecting, I am struck by the wonderful fact that more than 7 decades after the end of this brutal period, we are a strong, thriving, and growing Jewish community, a caring community, and one that values taking care of each other.

This week’s double Torah portion is Tazria-Metzora (Concieves-Leper) in the book of Leviticus, the third in the Five books of Moses. In it, the laws of tumah v’taharah, ritual impurity and purity are discussed. All these thousands of years later, whether chasing gasoline, or sitting around a dining room table contemplating the future directions of our Levis JCC, we choose to operate with a pure heart, with the best of intentions and with kindness to ourselves as well to those around us. When we do this, we choose life and we choose community as we strive to become our best selves.

Light Shabbat candles Friday evening at 7:33 pm
Shabbat ends Saturday night at 8:23 pm

Shabbat Shalom!

Marty