August 24, 2023

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

Remarkably, this Shabbat message comes to you before the last Shabbat of August. September brings images of Labor Day, the Jewish High Holidays, school and a back to work mentality. For my wife Lori and me, it’s hard to comprehend that we are completing our second full summer here in South Palm Beach County and 15th year in Florida, having lived in Sarasota for 13 years. With that experience, we know all too well the countdown to early November when the weather breaks and Florida becomes the paradise everyone wants to be a part of.

At your Adolph & Rose Levis JCC, we are busy welcoming children back to school, as well as preparing for a new season of arts, culture and learning, a variety of special needs programming, youth sports, and the continuation of our Judy Levis Krug Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival. The Festival’s year-round programming continues September 13th with the screening of Kutsher’s: The Last Catskills Resort here at the Levis JCC. Tickets are available for purchase at levisjcc.org/filmfestival/events. In addition, Festival leadership is excited to invite those interested in becoming active participants in the Festival to a special event at Movies of Delray on Wednesday, August 30th. The event will provide information about the Festival followed by a screening of the film Golda starring Helen Mirren. Please contact Marcia Mizrahi at marciam@levisjcc.org or 561-852-3214 by August 28th to RSVP or to receive additional information.

This week’s Torah Portion is Ki Teitzei (When You Go Out), and is found in the book of Deuteronomy, the 5th and final book of the 5 books of Moses. In it, 74 of the Torah’s 613 commandments are listed. As the calendar begins to move toward the fall season and the carefree feelings that summer evokes are replaced by the seriousness of the months ahead, it is comforting to know that your Levis JCC is here for all of us, be it preschool at Levis JCC Zale, afterschool programming, special needs offerings or our extensive arts, culture and learning opportunities. Our minds and hearts begin to look toward the days of awe, towards Rosh Hashanah dinner with family and friends and to “returning to our regular scheduled programming” at the Levis JCC.

Light Shabbat candles Friday evening at 7:29 pm
Shabbat ends Saturday night at 8:22 pm

Shabbat Shalom!

Marty