June 12, 2025

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

I am writing this week's message from LaGuardia Airport as I head back to South Palm Beach after spending a few days in Forest Hills, Queens with my mom and brother. My mom is about to turn 83, and my brother and I try to visit whenever we can to help with small repairs, sort through paperwork, and, most importantly, spend quality time together. I am grateful for these moments and hope to share many more in the years ahead. Waiting for me back home is tonight’s Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. Our Florida Panthers have been clawing their way toward their second consecutive victory and currently lead the series 2-1 over the Edmonton Oilers. Tonight, like so many of you, I’ll be watching and cheering them on!

There’s just as much excitement right here at our Adolph & Rose Levis JCC where, this week, summer camp has finally arrived. In our Early Childhood Camp, our smallest campers settled in, met new friends, and explored “The Great Outdoors,” a new, imaginative pine-scented playroom led by Miss Bonnie. In Upper Camp, our campers leapt right into the summer, enjoying an energetic Morning Show followed by all their amazing activities, including swimming, trapeze, go-karts, arts and crafts, sports, and more. In Camp Kavod, our campers reconnected with old friends, formed new bonds, and experienced a fantastic start to the summer with on-campus fun. Today, campers (third grade and older) attended their first field trip of the summer, while our younger campers welcomed the return of Camp at the J’s beloved Ziggy the Clown. Meanwhile, in our Solomon Family Theater Camp, it was “curtains up” on an exciting week! Campers kicked off with games and dance, then jumped into auditions for Freaky Friday The Musical, which our talented campers will bring to life on stage in just a few short weeks! It’s such a joy to watch our campers connect. Some of my own best friends and memories were made at a JCC day camp – in fact, while I was in New York, I visited the YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood, my very first JCC. I have such wonderful memories of the summers I spent there as a child. It's a big part of why I do what I do today, and I am filled with pride that a new generation of happy campers are enjoying their summer of ruach, friendship and community at their local JCC camp.

This week's Torah portion is Behaalotcha (“When You Raise”) in the book of Numbers, the fourth in the Five Books of Moses. In it, Moses appoints seventy elders to help him lead the Israelites, recognizing that even a divinely appointed, devoted leader cannot do it all alone. I feel very fortunate and thankful for my trusted, talented team here at the Levis JCC. Their leadership, creativity, and heart keep our programs running smoothly and turn a complicated and sophisticated business like the JCC into a warm home for our community.

Light Shabbat candles Friday evening at 7:56 pm.
Shabbat ends Saturday evening at 8:53 pm.

Shabbat Shalom
Am Yisrael Chai!

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Marty