May 25, 2023

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

It’s beginning to feel a lot like summer here at the Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center. Phones are ringing with families making last minute plans for summer camp, and our Levis JCC Sandler Center is kicking off its “Summer of Culture” – a variety of fantastic in-person and virtual programs that will entertain, educate and delight! On Tuesday evening, our newly minted Executive Committee met for the second time, and it’s a pleasure to see relationships developing and deepening and big ideas being discussed as we map out the coming year at our Levis JCC.

This week I had the privilege of visiting with two neighboring JCCs here in South Florida. I spent Monday at the Michael Ann Russell JCC in North Miami Beach hosted by CEO Alan Sataloff, and Tuesday at the Miami Beach JCC hosted by CEO Paul Frishman. I enjoyed learning, networking and sharing about our respective programs and the differences and similarities between our communities. I can confirm what I have been told many times: “If you've seen one JCC… you’ve seen one JCC.” Each is as unique as the community it serves, and each is essential in providing quality educational, cultural, family, and Jewish programming.

This week’s Torah portion occurs on the holiday of Shavuout. In it, the people cry out to Moses that the revelation of his commandments is too intense for them to bear; they beg Moses to receive the Torah from G d and convey it to them.

Sometimes the work ahead of us can seem intense and overwhelming. But when we work as a team and communicate well together, we can achieve anything we put our minds to.

Light Shabbat candles 7:48 pm
Shabbat ends Saturday night at 8:45 pm

Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom!

Marty