August 8, 2024

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

As we come to the end of the exciting summer Olympic Games held in Paris, this week JCC Maccabi Games and Access welcomed 1,200 Jewish teens to Houston, Texas to participate in the world’s largest Jewish youth sports event. I am very proud that our Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center’s Levis Krug Team Boca athletes have the opportunity to be a part of this incredible program. Unfortunately, my family and I had to cancel our eagerly anticipated vacation to Siesta Key Beach, but it really was the right call in postponing that trip. The Sarasota/Bradenton area received 17 inches of rain and some of the worst storm damage in its history due to Hurricane Debby. Lori and I are now eager to reschedule some precious time with our daughter Danielle, son-in-law Colin, and their daughter, Emi Lou, our precious granddaughter.

Our teen athletes have begun their JCC Maccabi Games experience, competing in basketball games against the Houston/Ukraine team and then the Jacksonville team. When not on the court, athletes are enjoying Hangtime, a central place for participants to hangout, recharge and participate in activities. On Monday evening they joined the other delegations for a social gathering at Dave & Busters, and are also enjoying other social events such as community service projects, time with their host families, and so much more. I am so proud to have our Boca Raton community represented by these terrific teens and their Israeli coach. Regardless of whether or not they bring home medals, they will surely always cherish the memories of this unique experience.

This week’s Torah portion is Devarim (The Words) in Deuteronomy, the fifth in the Five Books of Moses. In it, Moses reminds the Israelites of his message to his successor, Joshua, who will take the people into the Land and lead them in the battles for its conquest: “Fear them not, for the L rd your G d, He shall fight for you.” Those words feel particularly poignant today as our beloved State of Israel remains a target for attacks from multiple sources.

Light Shabbat Candles on Friday night at 7:43 pm
Shabbat ends Saturday night at 8:37 pm

Shabbat Shalom
Am Yisrael Chai!

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Marty