May 15, 2025

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

This week brought the uplifting news of the last living American hostage’s release from Gaza, as 21-year-old New Jersey native Edan Alexander was reunited with his family after 19 months in Hamas captivity. His release renews our hope and prayers that the remaining 58 hostages, 23 of whom are believed to be alive, return home swiftly and safely.

There is also a lot to be grateful for at your Adolph & Rose Levis JCC, where our youngest participants have had a joyful, meaningful week. On Friday, May 9, we concluded our Betty & Marvin Zale Early Childhood Learning Center Three-Year-Old Art Gallery, a brief but wonderful exhibition of our students’ creativity, showcasing their masterpieces inspired by renowned artists, including Van Gogh, Dine, Matisse, Monet, and Pollock. That same evening, we proudly hosted our first Family Shabbat @ the J in partnership with PJ Library of South Palm Beach County. A sold-out crowd of nearly 150 participants gathered to welcome Shabbat together through music with Dr. Emily, hands-on crafts, and community connection. Then, yesterday, I had the immense privilege of speaking at our Zale Pre-K graduation, where I proudly stood alongside our Levis JCC families and colleagues, celebrating our graduates’ tremendous year of growth. We are so excited to watch them embark on their journeys to Kindergarten. Mazal Tov!

This week's Torah portion is Emor (Speak) in the book of Leviticus, the third in the Five Books of Moses. In it, the Torah lists the Jewish calendar’s major festivals: Shabbat, Passover, the Counting of the Omer, Shavuot, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Shemini Atzeret. For thousands of years, cycles of these ritual celebrations have remained central to Jewish life. One of the great joys of working at a JCC is participating in those same rhythms, in addition to our own Levis JCC traditions. As summer approaches, we are preparing to commence another cycle of our Levis JCC Marleen Forkas Camps and welcome back campers for what promises to be another unforgettable summer.

Light Shabbat candles Friday evening at 7:43 pm.
Shabbat ends Saturday evening at 8:39 pm.

Shabbat Shalom
Am Yisrael Chai!

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Marty