May 1, 2025

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

Each year, I am struck by the remarkable juxtaposition of the sorrow of Yom HaZikaron, the Israeli Day of Remembrance, to the joy of Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Day of Independence. Yom HaZikaron is perhaps the single most difficult day of the year for Israelis, as the lives of her fallen soldiers and victims of terror are honored. This year, it feels especially heavy as we continue to pray for the 59 hostages who remain captive in Gaza, 24 of whom are believed to be alive. And still, just as Israel does each year, we find the strength to move from mourning to celebration as we welcome Yom Ha’atzmaut, the anniversary of the reestablishment of a Jewish state nearly 2,000 years after we lost sovereignty of our native land. Remarkable indeed.

Here at our Levis JCC, we experienced our own emotional transformation last Friday at our annual Shine Like a Star Luncheon. Chaired by Marisa Baker, Lori Fineman, Alexis Frisch, Michele Keyes, Nicole Rundell and Jill Swimmer, the event brought together more than 450 guests in support of the programs and scholarship fund of our Levis JCC’s Helene & Roy Schwedelson Special Needs Department. Shine Like a Star Honorary Chair and Guest Speaker Sponsor Judy Levis Krug welcomed this year’s featured guest speaker Will Reeve, philanthropist, media personality, and son of the late actor Christopher Reeve. Will shared his personal story of resilience after his father’s tragic accident and inspired everyone in attendance with his powerful message that real heroism lies in the courage to persevere, the choice to care for others, and the ordinary act of giving more than you take. He reminded us that heroes come in many forms, and I feel incredibly fortunate to know so many here in our own community.

At our Betty & Marvin Zale Early Childhood Learning Center, we are celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week, honoring our children’s daily heroes with the recognition they deserve. On Monday, the Klein and Stumacher families treated our teachers to a delicious breakfast from Way Beyond Bagels, coffee from the Whole Latte Monkeys coffee cart, and personalized water cups. On Tuesday, our teachers enjoyed massages generously donated by the Babins family, Zimmerman family, and Zimmerman & Frachtman, P.A., followed by a charcuterie spread and refreshing drinks from Raw Juce, courtesy of Across the Board Boca and Ariel Haas, and a skincare gift from the Klein family. I’d like to thank our Zale families for showing such meaningful appreciation for our teachers’ constant dedication.

This week is the double Torah portion of Tazria-Metzora (Conceives-Leper) in the book of Leviticus, the third in the Five Books of Moses. In it, we continue exploring the laws of tumah v’taharah, ritual impurity and purity. I find it powerful that this double portion aligns with our dual observances of Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut. Major transformations lie at the heart of this week, whether that’s the shift between impurity and purity, sorrow and celebration, or loss and renewal. We just hope this week’s double portion and double prayers help bring our hostages home.

Light Shabbat candles Friday evening at 7:35 pm.
Shabbat ends Saturday evening at 8:30 pm.

Shabbat Shalom
Am Yisrael Chai!

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

Marty