May 23, 2024

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

This week we will be commemorating Memorial Day, honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is a holiday with deep personal significance and meaning for me. My Uncle and my namesake, Private Martin Haberer, fought in World War II and was killed during the Battle of Bastogne on January 14,1 945, just shy of his 20th birthday. He was a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division, 327 Glider Infantry known as the Screaming Eagles. He is my hero.

At the Adolph & Rose Levis JCC, we have numerous unsung heroes as well, doing so many important things for our families and our community. Our Helene & Roy Schwedelson Special Needs Department is filled with dedicated professionals and passionate volunteers who help provide a variety of programming for children, teens and adults with special needs. Just last week more than 30 participants in the Dine Around Town program enjoyed an evening of socializing and dining at a local Mexican restaurant. This summer, campers ages 3-22+ will enjoy action-packed days filled with adventures at our Levis JCC Marleen Forkas Camp Kavod, and adults will gather for our Schwedelson Social Scene and Move & Mingle Fitness classes. At the Levis JCC Marleen Forkas Early Childhood and Upper Camps and Solomon Family Theater Camp programs, the administration, counselors and specialists are the true heroes of summer for hundreds of campers. They make every day memorable and fun, helping create lasting memories of fabulous summers at our Levis JCC. We can’t wait for them to bring the ruach of Camp at the J to life in just under 3 weeks!

This week’s Torah portion is Behar (On Mount) in the book of Leviticus, the 3rd in the Five Books of Moses. Behar contains additional laws governing the sale of lands and the prohibitions against fraud and usury. Land can be something our heroes die for, as was the case of my Uncle Martin, who fought to defeat the Nazis. It is what is being fought for in Israel as I write this to you. Land can also be a collective place our community comes together – in this case, our Levis JCC – a place where heroes create meaningful experiences for campers and for the participants in our Schwedelson Special Needs Department programs. I think it’s really important to remember to recognize, appreciate and thank our heroes. We do need them in our world now more than ever.

Light Shabbat candles Friday night at 7:48 pm
Shabbat ends Saturday night at 8:44 pm

Shabbat Shalom
Am Yisrael Chai!

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Marty