June 26, 2025

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

It’s been quite a week, with the United States entering what is now being called the 12-Day War, targeting multiple Iranian nuclear enrichment sites, and ultimately brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Amid this global tension, after a wonderful vacation, I am back in Boca while Lori headed to Arizona with our son Noah and his family to help them settle into their brand-new home in Gilbert. In between two closings and reviewing documents, she’s helping them furnish their new space and make it feel like home.

Here at our Adolph & Rose Levis JCC – home away from home for so many in our community – the summer is in full swing, and we are already wrapping up our third week of camp! Our Giborim Unit (campers entering 3rd and 4th grades) had its first Late Night of the summer, complete with swimming, inflatables, games, and make-your-own pizza, while our Bogrim campers (entering 5th and 6th grades) went to Orlando for their first overnight, enjoying a couple of sunny days at Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Epcot. This past Sunday, our Indoor Soccer League kicked off to a fantastic start! Our 35 participants have been having fun while building soccer skills, confidence, and teamwork under the expert guidance of Coach Luis and his Indigo Gap coaches. We are sincerely grateful to our sponsor, Rapid Restoration Recovery, for their help in making this program a great success. It’s not all about the kids though! Yesterday, our Judy Levis Krug Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival’s Movie Club: Documentaries Directed by Women screened Sugarcane, a powerful investigative film about abuse and missing children at an Indian residential school in Canada that sparked a reckoning on the nearby Sugarcane Reserve.

This week's Torah portion is Korach (His Name), in the book of Numbers, the fourth book in thehFive Books of Moses. In it, Korach challenges Moses and Aaron’s leadership and incites a mutiny with Dathan, Abiram, and 250 distinguished community members. As the mutineers attempt to claim leadership for themselves, the earth opens, swallowing them whole, and a fire consumes the rest. To me, the lesson couldn’t be clearer: authentic leadership matters. It's necessary for building trust and guiding communities, and for finding success of any business, government, or thriving JCC like our own. I'm grateful to be surrounded by thoughtful, devoted leaders who care deeply about our mission and all the wonderful people we serve.

Light Shabbat candles Friday evening at 7:59 pm.
Shabbat ends Saturday evening at 8:56 pm.

Shabbat Shalom
Am Yisrael Chai!

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Marty