May 26, 2022

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

“Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” - Forrest Gump’s momma

Well, as so many of you now know, my wife Lori and I were so hoping to see our first grandchild for the first time this weekend in St. Louis. Then life got in the way. I tested positive for Covid, so this trip will be delayed several more weeks.

That speed bump in our lives is of course completely negated by the horrendous loss of life on Tuesday in the tragic school shooting that took the lives of 19 children and 2 adults in Uvalde, Texas. Our hearts go out to the families whose lives have been shattered. Sadly, this seems like a never ending cycle of madness.

On a far more uplifting and positive note, this week your Levis JCC has rolled out a road map for our “Vision Forward.” After almost a year of thoughtful deliberations, we are setting in motion our plan to meet the needs of this vibrant and growing Jewish community. Please contact me with questions or for details about our expansion into our North campus home as we continue so many of our beloved programs and activities, right here where we are, and where we have been all along. You can reach me on my cell any time at 480-886-9009.

This week’s Torah portion is Bechukotai (Commandments) in the book of Leviticus, the 3rd in the 5 Books of Moses. In it, G-d describes lives well lived if his people follow his commandments, but warns of what might befall them if they do not.

Whether one subscribes to the literalness of our Torah or not, life really does seem “like a box of chocolates.” We should be grateful for the blessings and the good stuff we receive.

I look forward to more “good stuff” coming for our community from your Levis JCC in the days, weeks and months ahead.

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

Shabbat Shalom,

Marty