July 17, 2025

I am writing this Shabbat message on the eve of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. As a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan (even though, yes, I did grow up just 15 minutes from Yankee Stadium), I’ll be cheering on the American League. My beloved Sox went into All-Star break with a 10-game winning streak, and I’m hopeful for a strong second half of the season and maybe few good trades before the July 31 deadline. As much as I enjoy baseball, tonight I am especially grateful to gather my own team of dedicated professionals over dinner and celebrate their incredible work in preparing and presenting our 2025-2026 budget, which was recently approved by the Board. It’s a privilege to work alongside such talented colleagues.

That spirit of teamwork and community has been strong all week here at our Adolph & Rose Levis JCC. On Monday, July 14, our Phyllis & Harvey Sandler Center’s Marlene and Herb Levin Adult University offered hands-on learning with “Master Your iPhone,” followed by a Virtual Literary Lecture Series presentation by Jewish Book Club editor Becca Kantor, who led a lively discussion on Paper Brigade, their annual literary journal. On Tuesday, July 15, Charles Troy presented “Sondheim on the Edge” via Zoom. Wednesday, July 17, our Judy Levis Krug Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival Summer Film Series continued its Steven Soderbergh Retrospective with a screening of Erin Brockovich, the inspiring biographical legal drama that earned Julia Roberts an Academy Award. And today has been one of our busiest days yet: this morning, we launched a new series of pottery classes, welcoming participants of all levels to explore their creativity through clay. Community members also enjoyed a special visit to the Boca Raton Museum of Art through our Judy & Allan Schuman Museum Gallery Art Tour. The day included a guided exploration of Glasstress Boca Raton 2025, followed by the stunning documentary Dawn of Impressionism: Paris 1874. Finally, as this message reaches you, our community is gathering for the 15th annual Paul Markhoff Racing at the J: Run, Sweat & Beers 5K Run/Walk. It's a joyful, high-energy event that benefits the vital Levis JCC programs and services utilized by so many children and families in our area. While I can’t wait to announce our winners, this event is truly a win for our community!

This week's Torah portion is Pinchas (His Name) in the book of Numbers, the fourth in the Five Books of Moses. In it, Moses appoints Joshua as his successor, entrusting him to lead the Israelites into the Land of Israel. Thousands of years later, this moment reminds us of the importance of thoughtful, strategic leadership – something we strive for here at the Levis JCC as we plan for a strong and vibrant future.

Light Shabbat candles Friday evening at 7:56 pm.
Shabbat ends Saturday evening at 8:52 pm.

Shabbat Shalom
Am Yisrael Chai!

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Marty