July 10, 2025

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

Summer is meant to be a season of laughter, friendship, and joy—especially at camp. For generations, across our country JCCs have been synonymous with summer camp. It is woven into the fabric of the JCC movement. And so, as we enter Shabbat this week, our hearts are especially heavy. Our hearts are with the people of Texas following last weekend’s devastating floods. At Camp Mystic, 27 campers and counselors were among the 120 lives lost, with 170 people still missing. May the memories of those lost be a blessing, and may their families find strength in the difficult weeks ahead.

I am also holding Israel in my thoughts, as U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff works toward a 60-day ceasefire agreement. This proposal would bring home ten living and nine deceased hostages. With 50 hostages still held in Gaza, I pray that this may be the breakthrough to finally bring them all home. I am proud to say that Israel has been at the forefront of our Camp activities this week. Our campers and staff explored Israel’s rich history and vibrant culture through a variety of interactive experiences during “Israel Week,” generously sponsored by EL AL Airlines.

Cultural arts programming is often just the balm we need during troubling times, and this week has brought a variety of wonderful opportunities to our community through our Adolph & Rose Levis JCC’s Phyllis & Harvey Sandler Center. On Monday, July 7, the Marlene and Herb Levin Adult University’s Virtual Literary Lecture Series welcomed Shira Dicker to discuss Lolita at Leonard’s of Great Neck and Other Stories from the Before Times, her collection exploring Jewish journeys of identity, faith, love, and independence from 1974 to the 2000s. On Tuesday, July 8, we proudly hosted the Josef Gingold Chamber Music Festival, presented by the Elevar Foundation and generously co-sponsored by the Sephardi Federation of Palm Beach County, the Sinai Residences, and our Phyllis & Harvey Sandler Center. Guests enjoyed an exceptional showcase of music by Jewish composers including Julius Chajes, David Stock, Erich Korngold, John Williams, and Felix Mendelssohn. On Wednesday, July 9, our Judy Levis Krug Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival’s Movie Club: Steven Soderbergh Retrospective screened Sex, Lies and Videotape, the landmark film that shaped independent cinema. This week, we also began new sessions of Canasta, Mah Jongg, and pottery; I hope to welcome many of our community’s card and tile enthusiasts to our Levis JCC for a weekly dose of friendly competition, community learning, and creative exploration.

This week's Torah portion is Tzav (Command) in the Book of Numbers, the fourth in the Five Books of Moses. In it, G-d instructs Moses to command Aaron and his sons regarding their duties and rights as kohanim (priests) in the Sanctuary. Just as the Israelites depended on their leaders for guidance, we also rely on our own professional staff and volunteers to sustain Jewish life here at our Levis JCC and ensure that our community continues to thrive.

Light Shabbat candles Friday evening at 7:58 pm.
Shabbat ends Saturday evening at 8:54 pm.

Shabbat Shalom
Am Yisrael Chai!

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Marty