June 13, 2024

This week, we celebrate one of the holiest Jewish holidays of the year, Shavuot (sometimes known as the Feast of Weeks). It is always interesting to me that so few in our Jewish community are aware of Shavuot, which is, our tradition tells us, when the Torah was given to the Jewish people. We count 50 days from the second night of Passover in anticipation of Shavuot (the Counting of the Omer). On a lighter note, Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs was spectacular, with the Florida Panthers defeating the Edmonton Oilers last night; the Panthers are currently leading the best of 7 series 2-0 — GO CATS!

On Monday, I was privileged to be a part of the first day of Camp at the J — for all four of our Camps! It was so nice to see all the smiling campers and our fantastic counselors and staff all back together for another terrific summer full of adventures. The Levis JCC Marleen Forkas Camps serve more than 700 campers through our Early Childhood Camp, Upper Camp, Camp Kavod, and The Solomon Family Theater Camp. The Camps program is a huge part of the Adolph & Rose Levis JCC and I really enjoyed welcoming everyone back this summer. I am thrilled to be able to meet up with our Upper Camp campers each Friday afternoon to lead them in Kabbalat Shabbat, welcoming in the Sabbath.

This week’s Torah portion is Naso (count) in the book of Numbers, the 4th in the Five Books of Moses. In it, the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel each bring their offerings for the inauguration of the altar. Although their gifts are identical, each is brought on a different day and is individually described by the Torah. Similarly, each of our four summer camps is unique, and brings something truly special to summer for each of our campers.

Light Shabbat candles Friday night at 7:56 pm.
Shabbat ends on Saturday night at 8:54 pm.

Shabbat Shalom
Am Yisrael Chai!

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Marty